Tension in Delta as rural kingship tussle divides community, market, schools shutdown
- There is tension brewing in Idumuje Ugboko, an agrarian community in Aniocha north local government area of Delta state
- The crisis is allegedly orchestrated following the kingship tussle tearing the community apart and dividing apparent heirs to throne of the late monarch
- As at the time of filing this report, there is confusion as kingmakers appear incompetent to handle the unfolding situation
- The kingmakers have therefore appealed to the state government and security agencies to wade in and stem the wave of crisis enveloping the tiny community
Idumuje Ugboko, a rural community in Aniocha north council area of Delta state is in confusion and under siege as residents, school children, market women are running for safety following the kingship battle that is tearing the tiny community apart.
The monarch of the community, Albert Nwoko, a 91-year-old man died in February 2017 but the choice of the rightful heir to the throne has led to series of chaotic occurrences, a development which has led to kidnapping of some people, arrest of a few, and denying others access to their properties and homes.
The situation, Legit.ng gathered, rose to a point where markets were on a particular day compelled to close down and school children chased out of school so as to forestall unwarranted death and destruction of property in the agrarian community.
Following the development, there is confusion and fear in Idumuje Ugboko, the community which produced Professor Demas Nwoko of the University of Ibadan and Ned Nwoko, former member of the federal house of representatives, a philanthropic and owner of mount of Delta, a tourist centre located at the entrance of the community.
READ ALSO: Buhari's health: Embassy source reveals detail of president's status
In a press conference in Asaba, Delta state capital, on Thursday, some of the elders of the community, including the Iyase, Chris Ogwu; former president general of the community, Eziashi Walters; Kennedy Chuks Iloh, secretary, land allocation committee and one Henry Chike Okolo, the kingmakers decried the challenges in the community, calling on the state government and the security agencies to intervene so as to restore sanity to the war torn community.
The Iyase, who addressed over 35 media practitioners in Asaba, gave lurid and fearful details of developments in the community, explaining that life has become bad to the residents as the kingship tussle has instilled fear and horror in the minds of the community dwellers.
He told journalists that following the death of the monarch in February 2017, the situation of the community has degenerated to the extent that thugs have invaded the palace, sending shiver down the spine of community dwellers.
He added that the thugs had at one timer broke into his compound, gave him merciless beating, stating that wife of the late monarch who was chased out of the palace had lodged a complaint to the police asking for a total investigation of the issues surrounding the death of the late monarch.
He said though the matter is in court and that there is no reason for violence, he, however, said: “The whole town is in violence. Only yesterday (Wednesday), a gentleman was killed, market women were chased from the market, youths chased children from school. There is violence and shooting everywhere. For some days now I have not been to my house.”
When asked whether the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the chairman of Aniocha north local government area, Chuks Oseme, have been briefed on the development, he said the kingmakers have followed the usual due process to communicate the governor, adding: “There has been information to the governor. Issues like this, we first petition the local government chairman, we have done that and as such the governor is aware.”
He alleged that hoodlums were imported from other kingdoms to unleash terror on the community people, saying some came in the afternoon while others besieged the community in the night.
One of the community chiefs, Kennedy Chuks Iloh, who is the secretary of land allocation committee, told journalists that he was kidnapped and kept in custody for a period of time.
He said his children were told that their father was dead but when they demanded to see the dead body of their father, the children were chased away.
PAY ATTENTION: install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
He said the imported hoodlums from other communities are fighting youths of Idumuje Ugboko, noting that the chairman of the vigilante group in the community, one Peter Bama, was mercilessly beaten and dragged round the community, a situation which has landed him critically ill in an undisclosed hospital in the state.
The kingmakers alleged that Ned Nwoko, one of the illustrious sons of the community, was reportedly attacked, following threats from hoodlums who have put the community under tension with no immediate solution in sight.
The kingmakers have, however, said anyone allegedly involving Ned Nwoko in the crisis tearing the community apart is doing that as a diversionary approach, saying Ned meant well and is working in the interest of peace and development of the community.
Watch Legit.ng video where Acting President yemi Osibanjo talks on the Nigerian civil war
Source: Legit.ng
