All is not well in Akpawfu, a town made up of Ajame Ameze, Ishiagu Akpawfu and Obodo Uvuru autonomous communities in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The town is currently deserted following ongoing conflict which has led to the death of many indigenes and burning of yet to be ascertained number of houses.
Some members of Ajame Ameze and Ishiagu communities are accusing the traditional ruler of Ajame Ameze community, Igwe Christopher Nnamani of sponsoring the killing and burning of properties of indigenes in the two communities for being outcasts.
They accused the Monarch of setting up a private army which have been going from house to house in the two communities to fish out ‘outcasts’ for elimination.
They appealed to Enugu State Government and security operatives to come to their rescue before they are completely wiped out by the traditional ruler and his army.
When contacted, Igwe Christopher Nnamani, dismissed the allegation saying that those who have been killed and those whose houses were burnt are criminal elements terrorising the area.
He said that the victims were traced to their hideout in a forest by operatives of the Nigerian Army where they were eliminated.
Nnamani denied being behind the killings and burnings, revealing that Soldiers had conducted an investigation which showed that the victims were deadly kidnappers and armed robbers. He insisted that it was the reason why they were killed and their houses were burnt.
However speaking on Wednesday, in Enugu, an indigene of the area who did not want his name in print accused the traditional ruler of practicing the outcast custome in his community and had ordered his private army to kill and burn houses of those suspected to be outcasts.
Two other indigenes, Felix Ani and Ikechukwu Edeh, speaking separately said that Igwe Nnamani had openly given those labelled as outcasts until December 2022 to vacate his community or face his wrath.
They said that,”it is on record that he (the traditional ruler) is now burning the houses of those he labelled an outcasts. We are calling on the Government of Enugu State, and the State Commissioner of Police, to as a matter of urgency come to our rescue.
“They should call Igwe Christopher Nnamani to order and also make sure that he is brought to book for all these atrocious crimes he has committed against innocent people of his community.
“Instead of facing the matter they have with ESN and finding a way of sorting it out, Igwe Nnamani has declared war on the Family of Akpawfu; Umuanigbiyovo Oyiwode or Umuodenigbo.
“Igwe Christopher Nnamani and a group organized a private army, took them to somewhere in Kogi State and fortified them with bullet proof Charms and brought them back to the town.
“Immediately they came back they started mounting roadblocks, beating people to stupor, and graduated to shooting and killing people all over Akpawfu Oyiwode.
“They even ignored the instructions given by the Peace Committee instituted by Nkanu East Local Government Chairman in conjunction with (HRH) Igwe Dume Nnamoko, of Obodo Uvuru, who asked all to lay down their arms and embrace peace.
“While the Peace Committee was appealing to all to respect the committee, the new private army instituted by Igwe Christopher Nnamani and his group were busy killing people of Umuanigbiyovo Oyiwode.
“On Saturday 29th April 2023 these Igwe’s private Army went to Akpugo where one of the sons of Ezenwanyi, Ugochukwu Onovo took refuge, shot and killed him.
“His body has been deposited in the mortuary. Then from that last Saturday Igwe Christopher Nnamani’s private army has been going house to house in Akpawfu, killing innocent old men and Ymyouths 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 Amarmy of Igwe Christopher Nnamani. Our people have deserted the communities for fear of Igwe Nnamani and his private army terrorizing us.
“So, we are using this medium to call on the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Commissioner of Police in the state to use their good offices to intervene, and investigate the atrocities being committed against our people by Igwe Nnamani”, they said.
But the traditional ruler insited that, “what they told you the journalists is the opposite of what is going on in our communities. They are the ones killing people, kidnapping innocent natives, and making life unbearable for our people.
“But unfortunately for them, soldiers and policemen were able to trace and identify them, and made them face their actions. If you are doubting what I am telling you, just go to the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army Enugu and State Police Command to ask them about the matter.
“You will get the correct information of how Soldiers and Policemen were able to trace these bunch of criminal elements to their hideout in the forest. The matter is before the Commissioner of Police who has invited me tomorrow, being 4th May 2023, so, if you have the time just feel free to come, so that you can also hear from the Police.
“They think they can blackmail me, but no way! Am not an illiterate traditional ruler. I am a senior citizen of this country who served the nation for 35 solid years. I know my rights. They cannot intimidate or tarnish the reputation I built over the years” Igwe Nnamani declared
Core News Learnt that thousands of community members had been mobilised for a massive protest to Enugu State Government House today (May 3, 2023) but were stopped by individuals close to government.
The community members who were assured of government intervention in the matter were adviced to exploit other options apart from open protests to the Government House.
Furthermore, checks by reveal that Akpawfu community has been an epicenter of clashes between men of the Nigerian Army and hoodlums who had established several camps in forests located in the area.
The reported clashes has recently led to air bombardment of the area by security forces and a huge number of casualties.
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