Owo, Enugu community begs Tinubu to rescue them from Monarch’s oppression ,tyranny

…Demands justice for victims of atrocities
…Calls for special, thorough investigation of alleged culprits

By Chris Ochayi

The Elders Council, youth and concerned citizens of Owo clan in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, have appealed to the President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu to rescue them from the strong cramp of their traditional ruler Igwe Godwin Okeke Arum, of Mbulu Owo Autonomous Community whom they accused of committing atrocities against them.

The people also called for urgent intervention from the international community to save them from further alleged atrocities of Igwe Arum.

The community leaders led by Ogbodo James, while addressing a press conference on Monday in Abuja, accused the monarch of tyranny, repression, and neglect of the community’s welfare.

Ogbodo recounted incidents of alleged attacks, including an October 24, 2023, event that left several injured, among them two Catholic priests in the community.

He lamented the lack of response from the relevant government agencies, including security agencies and political office holders, despite numerous petitions to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other authorities.

According to him, “We have written letters to the Governor of Enugu State and other prominent figures, but the silence is deafening.”

He also alleged that the monarch boasts of backing from influential individuals in government and security agencies.

The community expressed concerns over escalating threats, forcing many residents to flee their homes.

They appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governor of Enugu State, and international human rights organizations to investigate and restore peace.

Ogodo linked the conflict to the creation of the Mbulu Autonomous Community in 2003, describing it as a political move that has fueled years of oppression.

“As law-abiding citizens, we remain committed to peaceful advocacy and will not relent in our pursuit of justice”, he said.

In his remarks, Elder John Egbo and Igwurube Emmanuel also urged the international community to intervene and ensure the safety of Owo’s people.

“Our struggle for justice continues, and we call on authorities to address the issues threatening peace in Owo,” they said.

“This press conference is to let the whole world know about the atrocious activities of our traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Godwin Okeke Arum of Mbulu- Owo Autonomous Community in Nkanu East LGA Enugu State.

“We believe there are still people of conscience that may hear our cry and come to our help to save the hapless people of our community.

” Let it be known, that the aged, the youths, women, widows, widowers and children of Owo land are suffering the tyranny of one man, and they have no one to run to.

“Igwe Okeke Arum instead of giving peace a chance resorted to more threats which has necessitates our coming out to cry to the entire world for help.

“Quite unfortunate and regrettably is that,most of the boys committing these crimes are well known people in the village and members of the state recognised security outfit called the Neighbourhood Watch.

While also appealing to the State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mba to intervene, Ogbodo noted that, “To some of us,we are very sure our dear Governor has not seen our letters because we find it difficult to believe that he saw them, yet he kept quiet.

“We know him to be a peace loving person as he has demonstrated his passion for peace and security in the state by providing logistics, modern and sophisticated equipment for tackling criminals and criminalities in the state.

“We are law abiding citizens and we choose to follow the cause for peace and stability.

“Gentlemen of the press, we want to let men and women of conscience know that our lives are highly threatened by the day and we cannot go back to our motherland and so the question on our lips is, “for how long shall we run from our home — for how long?

“It’s on this premise that we are calling on the whole world to take more than a passing interest in the happenings in Owo and ask pertinent questions.”

Noting that Owo people are writing in agony, Ogbodo said, “We are bringing this to the attention of the world and we make bold to say “*that Should anything happen to any of us*, Igwe Okeke Arum and his gang should be held responsible”.

“This Igwe, in one of our general assembly meetings stood up and told everyone that “The woman that will give birth to the person that can challenge his decisions in Owo has not been born yet.”

“Same man equally brags that nobody can do him anything because he has the government and security agencies in his pocket and so he fears nobody as long as he can attend to their needs. What an audacious man!

“We are calling for an intervention to free the people of Owo from the merciless Igwe Godwin Okeke Arum and his gang.

“We use this medium to humbly and passionately appeal to our peace loving President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and our amiable Governor,

“His Excellency Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mba to direct and order for a special and thorough investigation into this our cry and bring the culprits to answer for these allegations to serve as a deterrent to others who may be toeing same line.

“Please, kindly give the people of Owo hope to live again as the primary responsibility of any Government is to protect the lives and property of its citizenry.

“We seek and ask for justice in Owo land
like the biblical widow in (Luke 18: 1-7). Our cry will not cease and our spirit knows no rest as we will continue to beseech the protection and peace of our loving mother land.”