Some residents of two out of the three Akpawfu communities in the Nkanu East council area of Enugu State on Wednesday raised the alarm over alleged killings and burning of houses of people labelled as outcasts.
The people were allegedly labelled by the traditional ruler of Ajame Ameze, Igwe Christopher Nnamani. Ajame Ameze is one of the autonomous communities in the state.
The monarch has denied the accusations, noting that he did not kill nor direct that anyone should be killed.
SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday that gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network from the community whom Nigerian soldiers identified and destroyed their houses and properties have declared war on residents believed to have assisted and provided security agencies with information about them.
It was reported that the gunmen had killed no fewer than four persons including the Palace Secretary, who was murdered on Sunday. Some others were also injured.
SaharaReporters also reported that the wife of the traditional ruler recently escaped death when the hoodlums, who had taken over the community, invaded the traditional ruler's palace.
However, some people from the community while briefing journalists on Wednesday, denied that the gunmen killed by soldiers and policemen were ESN members and criminals. They instead accused the monarch of using his personal private armed men to terrorise the two autonomous communities of Ishiagu Akpawfu and Ajame Ameze.
Mr Felix Ani and Ikechukwu Udeh, in a joint address, said, "It is in the public domain that the Igwe had given those he alleged to be outcast up to December 2022 to vacate his community or face his hammer.
"Presently, it is on record that he is now burning the houses of those he labelled an outcast. And 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 by calling 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."
They alleged that Igwe Nnamani and cabinet members had gone into a deal of policing the localities with the militia wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a deal they said he couldn't manage well.
"Instead of facing the matter they have with ESN and finding a way of sorting it out, Igwe Nnamani declared war on the family of Akpawfu (Umuanigbiyovo Oyiwode Or Umuodenigbo).
"Igwe Christopher Nnamani and group organized a private army, took them to somewhere in Kogi State and fortified them with bullet proof charms (odieshi) and brought them back to the town.
"Immediately they came back they started mounting road blocks, 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 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 committee, the new private army instituted by Igwe Christopher Nnamani and his group were busy killing people of Umuanigbiyovo Oyiwode.”
They added, "On Saturday, 29th April 2023 these Igwe's private army went to Akpugo where one of the sons of Ezenwanyi, Mr Ugochukwu Onovo took refuge, shot and killed him.
"His body has been deposited in the mortuary. Then since that last Saturday, Igwe Christopher Nnamani's private army has 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 illegally constituted army of Igwe Christopher Nnamani. Our people have deserted the communities for fear of Igwe Nnamani and his private army terrorising us.
"So, we are using this medium to call on the Enugu state governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the commissioner of police to use their good offices to intervene, and investigate the atrocities being committed against our people by Igwe Nnamani.”
But reacting to the allegations, Igwe Nnamani, dismissed them, describing them as a case of 'kettle calling pot black'.
The monarch said he knew nothing about their killing or the burning of houses because they were killed by soldiers whose investigation revealed that they were deadly kidnappers and armed robbers engaging in all manner of crimes and criminalities in the communities.
He said, "What they told you 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.
"If you are doubting what 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 this bunch of criminal elements to their hideout in the forest.
"The matter is before the commissioner of police who has invited me tomorrow, 4th May 2023, so, if you have the time just feel free to come so that you can hear also from the police.”
"They think they can blackmail me, but no way! I’m not an illiterate traditional ruler. I’m a senior citizen of this country who served the nation for 35 years without blemish, and I know my rights. They cannot intimidate or tarnish the reputation I have built over the years," the monarch added.