The traditional ruler of Nimo Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra, Igwe Maximus Iliobi, has appealed for the deployment of more security personnel in the area.
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Mr Iliobi appealed during an interactive session with journalists in his palace on Sunday.
He said: “I call on the security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Service and the newly inaugurated state security outfits, Udo gachi and Agunechemba, to urgently deploy more of their personnel to the community to douse the tension and apprehend the protesting youths causing problems.
“I want the security agencies to also investigate the matter,” he said.
He spoke against the backdrop of an allegation levelled against him by some protesting youths in the community.
The youths accused him of masterminding the sudden death of one of the community youth leaders, Ifeanyi Odibelu.
The protesters alleged that Mr Odibelu died eight days after he was released from police detention in Awka.
They also lamented the incessant arrest of youths in the community under the directive of the traditional ruler.
However, Mr Iliobi alleged that the protest and other activities of the youths were a security threat to the community.
He urged the people of the community and Nigerians at large to disregard the allegation, denying having any hand in the death of the deceased.
“I am innocent of the allegation levelled against me by our youths.
“They are really protesting against my throne for waging war against Kidnapping, armed robbery and for not condoning land grabbing in the community.
“These are the same people who invited gunmen to occupy the bush between Nimo and Neni from where they started kidnapping our people,” the royal father said.
He further alleged that the protesters, including the deceased, “are the people disturbing the peace, unity and development of Nimo community.
“Nimo is a home of peace that doesn’t need hooliganism,” he said.
According to him, the protest was for their selfish interest and not in the interest of real Nimo youths.
“The community, under my rulership, has done everything possible to engage them, so that they can be useful to themselves, their families and the community, but they refused to work.
“Rather, they preferred to involve in land grabbing and other nefarious activities that would fetch them quick money.
“These youths that are holding the community to ransom are not more than 30 in number.
“For the past three years, their activities have thrown the community into chaos and disunity.
“They are doing everything possible to chase investors away from our land that is largely known for peace and for the community not to benefit from Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s Solution Agenda,” he said.
He said that the community enrolled the youths into various skill acquisition institutions, including Innoson Manufacturing Company in Nnewi and the ongoing “One Youth Two Skills” empowerment programme of the State Government for them to work and earn a decent living.
“They all ran away in search of quick and easy money.
“I was traditionally called to come and rule the good people of Nimo because of my long-time contributions to the development of the community and I can proudly say that my eight years on the throne have recorded a massive transformation across the community.
“What I have initiated includes the ongoing construction of Nimo Civil Centre, which will emerge as the best across communities in the South-East, upon completion.
A total of 14 brilliant indigent students are also studying medicine and engineering at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, under my rulership scholarship scheme.
“I am doing all these for the sake of progress, peace, unity and the future of the town.”
The protesters shut down all business activities in the area, including the famous Oye Market, during Saturday’s protest to demand justice for the late Mr Odibelu.
