News Editor
Residents and leaders of Ogwuaniocha Community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest against the abduction of their traditional ruler, Igwe Oliver Nnaji.
The protesters, armed with placards of various inscriptions, marched through the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway to the Governor’s Office and the State Judiciary Headquarters, in Awka.
Some of the placards read: “Gov. Willie Obiano Rescue Igwe Oliver Nnaji from Captivity”; “Ogwuaniocha Community Cries Out for Help” and “Chief Judge Reassign Our Community Case to a Neutral Judge.”
Mr Chidi Eze, the Spokesperson and President-General of the Community, alledged that a notorious group had invaded the palace of Igwe Nnaji and abducted him on Nov. 15.
Eze said that palace of the abducted traditional ruler and four of his vehicles were also burnt by the suspected gang.
According to him, the Igwe has been in captivity for over 29 days and his whereabouts is still unknown.
“We have reported the matter to all the Police Commands in the state.
“We have also written several petitions to the House of Assembly and the Governor, and till date, no response to our complaints.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the state, we urge Gov. Willie Obiano to, as a matter of urgency, intervene and rescue Igwe Nnaji, and as well, secure the lives and property of our people,” he said.
Also, Mr Franklin Chukwujioha, Secretary, Ogwuaniocha Youth Association, urged the Governor to rescue the kidnapped traditional ruler.
“We are calling on the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, to reassign our case file to a neutral judge for justice to prevail,” Chukwujioha said.
In his remarks, Mr Godwin Ngodi, a former Councillor of the community, said the crisis rocking the area was as a result of the crude oil discovered in the community.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the state government, Mr Oscar Christopher, the Chief Security Adviser to Gov. Willie Obiano, said the government, in collaboration with security agencies, were already looking into the group’s grievances.
Christopher, however, promised to deliver the protesters’ petition letters to the governor for urgent consideration.
(NAN)
