Chinedum Treasure
No fewer than 2,000 protesters from Awba Ofemili, Awka North North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday protested alleged killings, burning of houses, land grabbing, forceful confiscation of 2000 bags of rice, goats, among others in the community.
They accused the traditional ruler, Igwe Ernest Maduagwuna and the security vigilante of being responsible for the atrocities, demanding the monarch’s dethronement.
The protesters who stormed Government House, Awka, carried placards with varying inscription like: “We say no to killings, imposition of PGs, burning of houses, forceful seizure of people’s rice and goats, land grabbing, Soludo dethrone Igwe Maduagwuna and sack vampire Chief security officer, Polycap Ndukife,” among others.
Speaking through their spokesman, Dr Nice Mekoh, the protesters said over 15 houses were set ablaze, 2000 bags of rice, scores of goats forcefully confiscated from their owners and reportedly sold to traders in Onitsha.
His words, “We demand dethronement of the monarch, Igwe Ezekwesiri Ernest Maduagwuna, and conduct of a fresh President General, PG, election.
“The incumbent PG is imposed on us which also increased the killings, raping, land grabbing, setting houses ablaze, confiscation of over 2000 bags of rice from poor farmers by the monarch and his cohorts.
“In our community, if you challenge the monarch you will be attacked and your house set ablaze. They rape wives and daughters of our people and you don’t complain if you want to be alive.”
Mekoh however commended the governor for rehabilitating the Amansea/Ugbene/Awba Ofemili road, which he said assisted them to evacuate farm produce to the cities.
Responding, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Ernest Ezeajughi commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct, assuring full investigation into the allegations.
“We thank you for supporting the governor in infrastructural development of the state. We assure you soon investigation,” he said.
When contacted, the embattled monarch, Igwe Maduagwuna, described the protesters who accused him of setting their houses ablaze as bunch of liars.
“I, Igwe can’t set somebody’s house ablaze, they are bunch of liars, the protest they effected is useless, null and void and of no effect,” he added.
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