Isuaniocha community is one of the fastest developing towns in the Awka Capital Territory of Anambra State.
The town, which over the years, has been known for its sustainable peaceful atmosphere, hospitality and conviviality has been regrettably turned into a theatre of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, other heinous crimes, as well as a hideout for all manners of criminals, by some individuals in the area.
To this end stakeholders in the Nigerian Criminal Justice System and the International Community have been urged to set up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry and ensure security of lives and property in the community.
Two concerned indigenes of the community, Hon. Richard Okoye and Mr. Frederick Egwunwa, made the passionate appeal in Awka while narrating to newsmen the ordeals passed through by a former President-General of the Community, Chief Tony Onyeagolu, over the lingering crisis in the area.
According to them, there is the urgent need for the Nigerian government, through its judicial system, to save the people from further attacks, abuse, and the insecurity bedeviling the once-peaceful community.
They narrated that the entire crisis started after the former President General was elected and sworn-in on May 4, 2017, and when he vehemently resisted the moves by some persons to partition and share the undeveloped part of the Isuaniocha Community Secondary School land.
Hon. Okoye and Mr. Egwunwa claimed that, as a result of the resistance by the former PG, one of the persons, a former Chairman of the Awka North Local Government Area and his cohorts, allegedly recruited thugs and started causing mayhem in the community.
According to the concerened citizens, the suspects, in a commando style and in their persistent gruesome killings of innocent citizens of Isuanaocha, had on different occasions (between 2017 and 2022) destroyed a family house valued at over N200,000,000 (two hundred million naira) situated and lying at Otoko Village Isuaniocha, and which belonged to Chief Onyeagolu.
Continuing, they said the people also destroyed a magnificent storey building, with its appurtenances valued above N1,000,000,000.00 (one billion naira), belonging to one Mr. Festus Onyeagolu, the elder brother to the former PG. They said the hoodlums also stole some household property therein.
The two stakeholders further narrated that, as a result of the criminal activities of the few persons, a petition was lodged to the IGP for a discreet investigation.
“The Inspector General of Police, after investigation into the ongoing Isuaniocha crisis, found some persons liable, charged them to court; and in an official gazette, declared the fleeing accused persons wanted. And, through the AIG of Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo, permanently stationed armed policemen at Isuaniocha, in a bid to maintain lasting peace in the community,” they narrated.
Providing further fact, the duo alleged that the product of the investigation gave rise to Charge No: FHC/AWK/C/55/2022 - FRN vs. FRIDAY OKEKE JOHN & ORS, and FHC/AWK/C/392C/2023 - FRN vs. ONYEBUCHI OKOYE & 9 ORS pending before the Federal High Court Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
They, however, noted that, in order to frustrate the prosecution of the suspects standing trial in the said charges and to prevent the arrest and prosecution of the fleeing suspects already declared wanted by the Nigerian Police Force, the suspects and their sponsors allegedly procured the officers of the DSS Anambra State Command and some police officers attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) and Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Awkuzu (formerly known as SARS Awkuzu), to be kidnapping and maiming all the witnesses that will testify in the said charges against the suspects.
They also alleged that the OC RRS Awkuzu, CSP Ifeanyi Iburu deployed ASP Johnson and other RRS officers in company of some of the men on the wanted list by the Police and the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution.
They regretted that the gullible officers have turned themselves into personal security of the notorious criminals on the Police wanted list.
According to them, on one occasion, the officers of the DSS had a clash with of the officers of the Nigeria Police Force Stationed at the community by the IGP, when the DSS prevented them from arresting a notorious terrorist on the police watchlist.
Not only did the stakeholders allege that these officers of the former SARS Awkuzu and the DSS Awka were providing covers for the suspects, they are out to kill and eliminate all the prosecution witnesses.
The duo also claimed that, on January 11, 2025, the suspects, being led by the officers of the AKS/RRS Awkuzu with firearms and singing war songs, stormed one of the buildings named the White House at Ifite village in Isuaniocha and opened fire on the occupants of the House.
Hon. Okoye and Mr. Egwunwa claimed that as a result of the severe gun fires, the several persons within and around the said house including, Collins Akubuilo, Mmesoma, Samuel Dunu, Okonkwo Augustin Ifechukwu and Chinwendu Ngozi, sustained severe bullet injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at a Police hospital.
According to them, “For clarity, the persons who came to the house with the officers of the AKS/RRS, Awkuzu on illegal mission and fired gunshots are Cosmas Okonkwo, Onyemazi Ngini, Donatus Okeke, Obumneme Okolo (Yobo), Onyebuchi Nweke Isu Okoye, Nonso Obimma, Aluka Ofiegbu, Nonso Eboh (Egongene), Charles Okoye (Chidon), Chukwujekwu Okoye, Chinadu Nwoyeokoye, Basil Okoye, Chukwujekwu Anaekeokwu, Ifeanyi Onyi (Alaye), Paul Okoye, Izuchukwu Nwankwo, Arinze Nwankwo, Chisom Ngini, Chidiebere Odie, Emeka Adigwe and Demian Nnaemene.”
The concerned indigenes wondered if it was a crime for someone to report a crime to the Police and follow up the prosecution of the offenders up.
They however commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in stationing armed Policemen in Isuaniocha town, but noted that more is still needed to be done to totally liberate the town from the shackles of the suspects and criminal activities.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that there was a brief like that before him, but, however, cautioned the people not to take laws into their own hands.
“If they have any complaint, they can come forward to the Command Headquarters. We are ready to listen,” he said
When contacted to speak on the matter, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 13 Ukpo, Josephine Ihunwo said she was not aware of any clash that took place in Isuaniocha in January.
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