By Praise Chinecherem
Traditional ruler of Nimo Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Maximus Ike Iliobi, has expressed worry over looming security threat triggered by certain group of youths in the town.
The Monarch was reacting to allegation against him by some protesting youth who accused him of masterminding sudden death of one of the youth leaders in the community, Ifeanyi Odibelu.
According to the protesters who shutdown business activities in the area, including famous Oye Market, in protest to demand justice for the deceased, said late Odibelu died eight days after he was released from police detention in Awka.
The youths who accused the monarch of being behind his sudden demise also decried incessant arrest of youths in the community under the directive of the traditional ruler.
But reacting to the unfortunate incident, the Monarch urged people of the community and the public at large to disregard the allegation, insisting he had no hand in the death of the deceased.
He called on the security agencies, particularly, the Police, DSS and the newly inaugurated state security outfits, Udo Ga Achi/Agunechembra operatives, to conduct proper investigation to unravel the actual cause of the death.
He said, “I am innocent of the allegation levelled against me. This gang of youths are protesting against my throne for waging war against kidnapping, armed robbery and for not welcoming land grabbing activities in the community.
“These are the same people that invited unknown gunmen to occupy the bush between Nimo and Neni from where they started kidnapping our people.
“The protesters, including late Odibelu, are the people disturbing the peace, unity, togetherness and the development of Nimo Community. Nimo is a home of peace that doesn’t need hooliganism.
“The protest was for their selfish interest and not for the interest of real Nimo youths.
“The community under my rulership has done everything developmentally possible to engage these gangsters so they can be useful to themselves, their families and to the community.
“But the refused to work but rather preferred to involve in land grabbing and other nefarious activities that will fetch them quick money.
“This set of youths that are holding this community to ransom are not more than 30 in number. For the past three years, their criminal activities have thrown the community into chaos and disunity.
“They are doing everything criminally possible to chase away investors in our land that is largely known for peace and for the community not to benefit from Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Solution Agenda.
“We enrolled these particular youths into various skill acquisition institutions, including Innoson Manufacturing Company in Nnewi and the ongoing One Youth Two Skills empowerment programme of the State Government for them to legitimately work and earn a peaceful living, but they all ran away in search of quick and easy money.
“I was traditionally called to come and rule the good people of Nimo because of my long time contributions to the development of the community and I can proudly say that my 8 years on the throne have recorded a massive transformation across the four corners of the town.
“It includes the ongoing construction of Nimo Civil Center which after completion will emerge the best across communities in the South East Region of Nigeria.
“A total of 14 brilliant indigent students are also studying Medicine and Engineering courses at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, under my rulership scholarship scheme.
“I am doing all this for the sake of progress, peace, unity, togetherness and for the future development of the town.
“Therefore, I call on the security agencies, particularly, the Nigeria Police Force, DSS and the newly inaugurated state security outfits, Udo Ga Achi/Agunechemba, to urgently deploy more of their personnel to the community to dust down tension and apprehend the hoodlums.”
