From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Hoodlums suspected to be cultists have launched an attack on the traditional ruler of Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune, and some of his subjects, vandalising some properties worth about N25 million.
This was barely five months after a suspected cult group attacked and killed about twenty persons at a burial ceremony in the same community.
Sources claimed that the incident occured last week, but no life was lost.
“Hoodlums numbering about 100 invaded the palace of the traditional ruler of Ebenebe, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune a around midnight on Monday. The Igwe had gone to sleep. They came prepared for war; some were beating Ogene (metal gongs), while others shot sporadically into the air.
“When no one could open the gate for them, they forced it open, using their clubs and other dangerous weapons. However, they met no one outside the premises. After making noise, they left.” Our source stated.
It was also gathered that the hoodlums same night, first visited the compound of late Chief Okoye family at Obuno village, Ebenebe in search of a youth leader, Mr Chukwujekwu Okoye, during which they vandalised Almaco doors, windows, chairs, power generating set and other properties in the two buildings in the compound.
Although there was no information to show why the attack was launched, another source, who claimed to be awake when the incident occured, said he overheard the hoodlums saying they came to kill a member of the family, Mr Chukwujekwu Okoye.
According to the source, Chukwujekwu, who is the Chairman of Obuno Village Youth, always used security men to chase away hoodlums from the community and the monarch was also against their nefarious activities.
An eyewitness and member of the family, Mr Festus Okoye, said he narrowly escaped death on the day of the incident, as the hoodlums, on discovering that he was inside one of the rooms with his family, ordered them to come out.
“Our life was in danger. When they forced our entrance gate open, they went round our compound, destroying all the Almaco glasses and doors to see if there are people inside any of the rooms. It was in the process that they discovered I was inside with my wife and my child. They ordered us to come outside. But I pleaded with them. On hearing my voice, they said ‘Oh its man of God, let us leave him.’ That was how they spared my family,” Mr Okoye stated.
Collaborating this, Mr Chukwujekwu Okoye, who has gone hiding since the incident, said he has reported the matter to the police, and called for government intervention to checkmate crime and criminality in Ebenebe, as his life and those of his family were in grave danger because the hoodlums were still threatening to kill him.
The Traditional Ruler of Ebenebe, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune who confirmed that there was an attack on his palace by hoodlums on the said date promised to provide details later.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Anambra State command, Ikenga Tochukwu (DSP) said that there is no such report before him.
Tochukwu said that he called the traditional ruler after we contacted him for confirmation of Ebenebe attack and the royal father said he is fine.