Accusations have been made by the Traditional Council of Enugwu-Agidi in Anambra State, under the leadership of the monarch, Igwe Micheal Chidozie Okeke, claiming that the President General of the community, Chuekwuebuka Onuorah, is running a private militia.
The Council has urged Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to step in and prevent any potential breakdown of law and order.
During a visit to the Anambra State Government House, representatives of the traditional ruler, led by Chief Ifeanyi Ndulue, the Personal Secretary, revealed to journalists that the safety of the town is at risk.
Ndulue stated: “We have come to notify the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Matters of disturbing events in our community.
“In the past month, there were sightings of individuals in our village donning assorted security uniforms, and a security van was reportedly handed over to them by our President General, who allegedly initiated and armed a militia group against the state’s orders. This militia is purported to be his personal security detail, armed under his direction.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the community, the Traditional Ruler disapproved of this action and reached out to the state government. We were informed that the commissioner instructed the President General to disarm and disband the militia, but this directive remains unfulfilled.
“Moreover, last Sunday, masked policemen, in large numbers, reportedly stormed the residence of the Traditional Prime Minister, Dr Osita Anameze, with an intent to arrest him.
“We were given to understand that the President General of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union, Hon Chuekwuebuka Onuorah filed a petition against him at the Force Headquarters. Whilst we lack detailed information on the petition, we heard that the IG squad arrived to arrest the Prime Minister.
“These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg in our community’s woes. The President General, Chuekwuebuka Onuorah, has brought unrest to Enugwu-Agidi and is reportedly targeting residents.”
Ndulue mentioned that the meeting with the commissioner was productive, and the community has been requested to articulate their grievances in writing.
Meanwhile, the President General has maintained that the security outfit in question is for the entire community and not his personal project.
He asserted, “Their claims are an attempt to sow discord. The vigilante group they refer to is the community’s vigilante, not a personal endeavor of Ebuka Onuorah.”
In response to allegations of orchestrating the arrest of the Prime Minister through security operatives, the President General countered: “Why are they in a frenzy? Merely one police visit and they are unsettled. How many times have they had me detained? If one is innocent, why the fear of law enforcement?”