Enugwu-Agidi crisis: They ostracized me for initiating peace over land tussle -Community leader

The former Vice Chairman of Obunagu-Achalla village in Enugwu-Agidi community, Anambra state, Ozo Ozoemena Obiora Okeke has alleged that he was excommunicated in his village by the leadership of my town whose sole interest was to sell off the remaining entire ancestral lands which he stopped and sought for lasting peace with Ezinano community in Awka.

Ozoemena also said that they sent Fulanis to kidnap and kill him for two times but he survived.

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers to journalists yesterday at Enugwu-Agidi in Njikoka local government area of the state, he said his problem started with the incumbent Chairman of Obunagu-Achalla village, Comrade Emeka Ementa and his executive members when he summoned meeting to initiate lasting peace between the Obunagu-Achalla and Ezinano communities.

According to him, ” It all started on October 17, 2023. It was the initial period the road in front of my house was being graded which they claimed that I sold the land to Ozo Jeff Nweke. This people invited the Fulani people to kidnap me so that I would bring out the money suspected to be paid for the land.
” I think this set of Fulanis are poor because they collected all my food stuff including garri, palm oil, salt among others. They discovered that I had only #22.00 in my bank account through my phone and no other bank accounts. They wondered where the money they claimed that I realized from the land should be. They concluded it was mere allegation and I was freed.

” The second invasion was in August 2024, after the peace meeting with my people, the Fulani kidnappers invaded my house again around 4pm that day and took me into the bush to Urum in Awka North local district before proceeding towards one shrine in Ukwulu. I stayed three days in the bush before they released me.”
Ozoemena further accused Comrade Ementa and his brother, Johnbosco, Umera Okeke CVC Okekenta for selling most of the lands at give away prices without accounting for the proceeds.
” They sold Mbanano land to Dubai Estate while Isi-nwoshishi land, part of Obibia land, Oburu and Odo-achalla lands are also sold by them without accounting for them.”
When contacted, Emeka Ementa told journalists in Awka that Ozoemena lied. ” We did not sell any land and if he insists, he should come up with evidence.

” Well, about he allegations, I don’t have any contact with any kidnaping syndicate and I don’t even intend. The community took the option and normal caution to suspend him from our meetings and other activities.It was in a general meeting, it is not personal to me. Why should I kidnap him, for what? I have not heard about his kidnap story and he is forging this kidnap.
” Our people have been a peaceful people. We have written letters to the state government to give us peace because we have suffered. So, what kind of peace again would this local people bring when we have government there.
“Sometime this year, we wrote to State Boundary Commission, to annex our documents and theirs and look at it and give us permanent peace.”