The people of Ogwuaniocha community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Tuesday, invaded the Government House, Awka, to protest the alleged abduction of their traditional ruler, Igwe Oliver Nnaji.

Nnaji was allegedly kidnapped by a notorious gang that wanted to control the resources of the community.

Our correspondent gathered that the protesters carried placards with various inscriptions and marched to the governor’s office and the state judiciary headquarters in Awka.

The placards read, “Willie Obiano, rescue Igwe Oliver Nnaji from captivity”; “Ogwuaniocha community cries out for help.”

The Spokesperson and the President-General of the community, Chidi Eze, told journalists that the monarch was abducted from his palace on November 15 by a notorious gang.

Eze alleged that the palace of the abducted royal father and four of his vehicles were also burnt during the incident.
He added that the whereabouts of the monarch is still unknown 29 days after.

He said, “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; to date, no response to our complaints.

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“As the chief security officer of the state, we urge Obiano as a matter of urgency, to intervene and rescue our monarch and secure the lives and property of our people.

The Secretary, Ogwuaniocha Youth Association, Franklin Chukwujioha, on his part, appealed to the governor to declare members of the gang wanted for the alleged kidnapping of the traditional ruler.

He said, “We are calling on the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu to re-assign our case file to a neutral judge for justice to prevail.”

A former councillor of the community, Godwin Ngodi, linked the crisis to the crude oil discovered in the community.

The Chief Security Adviser to the Governor, Oscar Christopher, who received the protesters, promised to deliver their petitions to the governor.

Christopher assured the protesters that their grievances were already being investigated by the government in collaboration with security agencies.

Similarly, just after, some youths also protested at the Government House.

They said they were protesting the non-inclusion of their names from the state’s youth empowerment scheme.