Youths of Umuatulu Village in Enugu Ukwu Community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra have protested the illegal takeover of leadership, constant harassment of the people and unrest.
The youths who thronged the Palace of Igwe Ralph Ekpeh, the traditional ruler of Enugu Ukwu, called for immediate intervention and the arrest of one Ebele Ngini, whom they accuse of creating unrest in the community.
The protesters displayed placards with varying inscriptions including ‘Ebele Ngini is a terror to our community’, He dismantled surveillance cameras to avoid being captured’ and Ebele Ngini, Stop harassing youths’
Others read, ‘We beg Gov. Soludo to intervene and restore peace’, ‘Anambra State Government, Save Us’ and ‘We want peace in Umuatulu community’.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr Ralph Okonkwo said the illegal overthrow of the leadership had resulted in growing insecurity in the village.
Okonko alleged that Ngini and his cohorts used their illegal leadership to disarm the village vigilance team of their guns and disconnected the CCTV surveillance cameras thereby exposing them to danger
He appealed to the traditional ruler, his cabinet, and Gov. Chukwuma Soludo to intervene urgently to restore peace, security, and lawful leadership in the community
“Your Royal Highness, we have come to ask for your assistance, Ebele Ngini has been terrorising our village, he brought in unknown gunmen who shoot sporadically at night and deny us sleep.
“In June last year, Ebele Ngini illegally took over the village leadership, disarmed the village vigilance team by seizing seven pump-action rifles and distributing them to untrained individuals.
“He disconnected CCTV surveillance cameras, exposing the village to insecurity and unrest among residents.
“We wrote your palace about this and the Igwe in council rule that the illegally removed executive should return to office.
“But Ebele in his group ignored the ruling. Cabinet members visited Umuatulu and ordered that all the property should be returned in three weeks but these things are still in the hands of people unknown to us,” he said.
Responding, Igwe Ralph Ekpe commended the youths for their peaceful conduct and for properly addressing their grievances.
Ekpe acknowledged the Palace’s awareness of Ebele Ngini’s disruptive activities and assured the community that appropriate actions would be taken to restore peace in Umuatulu.
“We have been trying to dialogue with Ebele Ngini to no avail. He has continued to terrorize the people and disrupt order in our community,.
“We cannot take it anymore. Now, we will report to the police so that he will be prosecuted according to the law.
“We will ensure the police act to recover the guns and dismantled surveillance cameras,” he added.
