NEWS
Enugu Community Accuses Traditional Ruler of Killings and Burning of Houses, Seeks Government Intervention
By Sylvia Udegbunam
Residents of Akpawfu town in Nkanu council area of Enugu state have accused the Traditional Ruler of Ajame Ameze, Igwe Christopher Nnamani, of killing and burning their houses.
They alleged that the monarch has labeled them outcasts and used his private armed men to carry out the acts in the communities of Ishiagu Akpawfu and Ajame Ameze,
The community is calling for the intervention of the Enugu state government and security operatives before they are completely wiped out by the traditional ruler.
When contacted, Igwe Nnamani dismissed the allegations, stating that the victims were alleged criminal elements who had been terrorizing the locality and had been traced to their hideout in a forest by soldiers and police.
He claimed to have no knowledge of their deaths or the burning of houses, attributing the actions to soldiers.
“They believe they can blackmail me, but I will not allow it. As a senior citizen of this country, who served the nation for 35 years, I am not an illiterate traditional ruler. I am aware of my rights, and they cannot intimidate or tarnish the reputation I have built over the years,” Igwe Nnamani declared.
However, a concerned citizen who Spoke to DAILY ASSET on the condition of anonymity said, “Igwe Christopher Nnamani is practicing outcast custom in his community, which is the reason why he ordered his private army to kill and burn the houses of those he alleged to be outcasts.”
Two concerned indigenes of the area, Felix Ani and Ikechukwu Udeh, have also expressed concern over the matter, calling on the Enugu state government and the state commissioner of police to call Igwe Christopher Nnamani to order and bring him to book for the heinous crimes committed against innocent people in his community.
“The Igwe gave those he deemed outcasts until December 2022 to vacate his community, after which he began burning their houses,” they said.
Community members corroborating themselves also accused the Igwe of going into a deal with the militia wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to police the localities, a deal he could not manage well.
“Igwe Christopher Nnamani and his group allegedly organized a private army and took them to Kogi State, where they were fortified with bulletproof charms before returning to the town. They started mounting roadblocks, beating people, and shooting and killing people all over Akpawfu Oyiwode.
“They even ignored the instructions given by the Peace Committee instituted by Nkanu East Council area Chairman in conjunction with (HRH) Igwe Dume Nnamoko, of Obodo Uvuru that asked all to lay down their Arms and embrace peace.
“While the Peace Committee was appealing to all to respect the peace accord, the new Private Army instituted by Igwe Christopher Nnamani and his group were busy killing people of Umuanigbiyovo Oyiwode.
“On Saturday 29th April 2023 his private Army went to Akpugo where one of the Sons of Ezenwanyi, Ugochukwu Onovo took refuge, shoot and killed him.
“His body has been deposited in the Mortuary. Then from that last Saturday Igwe Christopher Nnamani’s Private Army have been going from house to house in Akpawfu, killing innocent old men and youths of Umuanigbiyovo Oyiwode family who didn’t know anything about any problem in Akpawfu Oyiwode.
“The entire Town has been chased away by the illegal Constituted Army of Igwe Christopher Nnamani. Our people have deserted the Communities for fear of Igwe Nnamani and his private Army terrorizing us,” Ani alleged.
“They have been responsible for the killings, kidnappings of innocent natives, and making life unbearable for our people. However, the Soldiers and Policemen were able to identify and track them down, holding them accountable for their actions. Doubtful of my words? Simply visit the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in Enugu or the state police Command to receive accurate information on how these criminals were traced to their forest hideout. This matter is currently before the Commissioner of Police, who has invited me to discuss it tomorrow, May 4th, 2023. You are welcome to join and hear from the police firsthand,” he added.
The Police in Edo have arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a cache of weapons, luxury vehicles during a raid on a criminal hideout in Benin.The Command’s spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Benin .Yamu said operatives from the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Unit of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) on May 13 stormed a hotel in Benin.
He said the operation led to the arrest of 22-year-old Endurance Oviojie, while four other suspects identified as Clinton, Jeff, Mike, and Emmanuel alias Slim Khalifa fled the scene by scaling the fence into neighbouring compounds. “The police recovered a significant haul of items including one English Beretta pistol, one locally fabricated pistol, one round of ammunition, 18 live cartridges, multiple mobile phones, a tablet device, charms, and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.“In a follow-up operation, the police also seized four unregistered Mercedes-Benz vehicles- a black C350, a grey C300, a grey GLA 250, and a red GLE 350 suspected to have been used for criminal activities,” he said.The police spokesperson said the arrested suspect had already been charged to court, while a manhunt was ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members.The Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Agbonika, has warned all criminal elements to either leave the state or face the full wrath of the law.“We are resolute in our mission to rid Edo of criminal elements.“This command will sustain this offensive until law-abiding citizens can feel safe and secure in every corner of the state,” the commissioner assured.He urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information to help clamp down on crime across the state. (NAN)
The Federal Government has begun evacuation and demolition of illegal structures beneath the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, citing serious safety concerns and risk of imminent collapse. The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, gave the order while inspecting the bridge alongside structural engineers and officials of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
, on Sunday. Umahi expressed concern over the condition of the bridge which, he said, had been severely compromised by illegal human activities. He said: “We are here with bridge experts to examine the Iddo Bridge, which was burnt down due to unlawful occupation and activities beneath it. “People have converted the underpass into shops, warehouses, and even residential areas. “These activities have caused significant damage, to the extent that Julius Berger has advised that the bridge must be completely demolished and reconstructed.” He said that the Cowry Bridge and the Independence Bridge had also been affected by similar activities. According to the minister, attempts by the Federal Government to engage with the illegal occupants have met resistance, with some of them saying that the matter is before the court. “They have refused to vacate the premises. They wrote to us, claiming the matter is in court. “It appears that what they are selling is more important to them than the lives of Lagosians, but we cannot allow that,” Umahi said. Umahi directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos state, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, to ensure that all illegal structures beneath the bridge would be demolished before the close of business on Monday. “This is about saving lives. We must act to prevent the collapse of the bridge.“Beams have already been hit by vehicles, and some have been burnt. The structural integrity of the bridge is compromised,” he said. He also said that policemen should be deployed to the site to secure any valuables that might be found during the demolition. “If we find even a pin, it should be recorded and returned but I can tell you that what I have seen so far are mostly iron doors and partitions.“There are no significant goods inside,” Umahi said. The minister emphasised that there would be no going back on the decision to demolish and conduct a thorough examination of the bridge. “We are not trying to punish anyone, we are trying to save lives. Every illegal structure under this bridge must go before Monday ends,” he said. Report says that the contract for the rehabilitation of the Iddo Bridge was awarded in 2024 to Julius Berger Plc. In April, Umahi, explained that one of the major problems with the bridge was low headroom clearance. He noted that a section of the bridge had a headroom of about 3.0 metres, far below the required minimum of 5.6 metres. According to the minister, the situation has resulted in frequent collisions by trucks, which hit the underside of the bridge deck and caused structural damage. Umahi also raised concerns about shops near the bridge which were selling chemicals, warning that such activities posed serious safety risks. He noted that a chemical once caught fire near the bridge and caused extensive damage to the structure. He said that the bridge’s structural elements had been significantly compromised and required urgent attention. (NAN)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, has between January and May, destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites through airstrikes in the Niger Delta.The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.
Ejodame said the NAF executed over 173 missions and 265 sorties, accumulating approximately 270 flying hours in support of joint military operations and independent strikes across key oil-producing states. He said the airstrikes also destroyed 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two reservoirs and several transport vehicles.According to him, these actions significantly degraded the capacity of oil thieves and vandals operating along critical corridors such as Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji and the Trans Niger Pipeline Right of Way.“The operations are aligned with national efforts to curb militancy, stop environmental degradation caused by illegal refining, and protect strategic oil and gas infrastructure, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.NAF spokesman said the NAF had intensified air operations in the Niger Delta, recording significant successes in the ongoing fight against crude oil theft and the protection of vital national assets.He said the NAF 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), which hosts the air component had maintained a high tempo of aerial missions across the region, dismantling illegal refining sites and disrupting the logistics of criminal networks.“While the NAF continues to promote civil-military cooperation and community development in the region, it emphasises that the kinetic component of its campaign remains essential to uprooting entrenched criminal networks.“These sustained air operations underscore NAF’s commitment to national security and economic stability by ensuring that Nigeria’s oil heartland remains secure and productive,” he added. (NAN)
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