As the controversy rages over the denial of Igwe Michael Okekeuche (the Okpalariam III) of Enugwu Agidi that he does not have any personal knowledge or link with Chukwudi Tansi , an alleged kidnap kingpin from Enugwu Agidi who he personally nominated as member and designated Commander of Enugwu Agidi Community Central Vigilante Group
Recall that several news outlets including Arise Television had reported that as at 12:15 am on 30th January 2025 . troops carried out raid operations based on credible intelligence to a kidnapper’s hideout/armoury location at Enugwu Agidi, Njikoka LGA
One Mr Chukwudi Tansi , a member of a suspected kidnapping syndicate was apprehended. Items recovered include : 2 AK 47 rifles, 8 pump action guns,4 foreign made pistols, 3 packets of cartridges (101 cartridges),4 empty magazines of AK 47 rifles. 3 cutlasses, one Baofeng radio, one motorcycle and some charms.
This was not the first time; the said kidnap suspect would have brush with the law . He was arrested sometime in April 2024 based on petition written by the President General of the town dated April 4, 2014 accusing him of illegal possession of fire arms, threat to life and sundry criminal activities. It was alleged that the Igwe with some members of his cabinet went to the police in Abuja to secure his bail and also claimed that the guns recovered from him were issued to him as the *head of the Palace Guard. The existence of Palace Guards are not known to the Town Union Government.
Upon regaining his freedom, the said Chukwuma Tansi became more notorious , more emboldened and continued with his underworld activities which included kidnapping and masterminding attacks on police stations and defrocking killed officers of their rifles.
Despite all the red flags on the suspect, Igwe Michael Okekeuche in a letter referenced HRH/1/MCO/LOV/086/24/6/2024 dated 24/06/2024 nominated the said suspect as a member of Enugwu Central Vigilante Group and recommended him as the Commander . This move was flatly rejected by the President General who insisted that the Igwe is literally handing over the community to known criminals . The tension between the Igwe and President General has persisted since then, leaving the community without organised security group.
In the war of words between the Igwe and the PG on the current arrest and harvest of fire arms from the suspect, and following the Igwe’s denial of the suspect, the PG Honourable David Chukwuebuka Onuorah had said the Igwe was being economical with the truth and that his connection with the suspect require deeper investigation as according to him the suspect is not a lone wolf. He has internal and external collaborators and powerful protectors.
Daily News Report has reported that the Igwe denied knowledge of the suspect whom he now referred to as a guard to the President General . The Igwe in a Press Statement issued through his Palace Secretary Mr Ifeanyi Ndulue accused the PG of disparaging his name because of their political differences. He said the damage that had been done as a result of the PGs allegations against him was unquantifiable.
On his part, Hon Ebuka Onuorah, the PG said the Igwe must have serious amnesia to be lying carelessly when the facts are there and on plain sights. Amnesia refers to the loss of memories, including facts, information and experiences.
A report by Facts News Report quoted the PG as saying: “The records of my petition to the Police IGP against the suspect are there. The record of the IGP approval directing for the investigation of the suspect are there. The findings of the police who arrested him in April and detained him in Abuja are there. The circumstances under which he was granted bail by the police and who stood as his surety are all there, including the letter of the Igwe nominating the suspect as a member and head of Enugwu Agidi Central Vigilante are there, likewise his objection of the inclusion of the suspect as a member of Vigilante addressed to the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs are there to reconfirm who are the protectors of the suspect and his collaborators.
The records of proceedings with both the Anambra State Commissioner of Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and the Transition Chairman Njikoka LGA in 2024 can be subpoenaed.
The PG threatened to sue the Igwe and his palace secretary for defamation of character if he did not tender retraction of his statement and tender an unreserved apology within 4 days for referring the suspect as being in his employment as a *personal security guard and also being the one that bailed him from the police in Abuja.
*“This is for the record and to remind the morally-flexible that at some point in our life, we must accept responsibility for our poor judgements, and actions, and speak the truth no matter how inconvenient.*
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