Suspected cultists Attack Anambra Monarch, Subjects, Damage Properties Worth N25m

By Praise Chinecherem

Hoodlums suspected to be cultists have attacked traditional ruler of Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune and some of his subjects.

The attackers also damaged properties worth over N25million.

The Thursday night attack take place barely five months after a suspected cult group killed about 20 persons at a burial ceremony in the community.

A resident of the area who spoke to our correspondent said around 11:30pm on June 27, hoodlums numbering about 100 invaded the palace of the traditional ruler of Ebenebe, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune. 

He recalled: “The Igwe had gone to sleep but they came prepared for war. Some were beating Ogene (metal gongs), while others shot sporadically in the air. 

“When no one could open the gate for them, they forced it open, using their clubs and other dangerous weapons. However, they met no one outside the premises. After making noise, they left.”

Anambra Daily learnt that the hoodlums had earlier visited the compound of late Chief Okoye family at Obuno village, Ebenebe in search of a youth leader, Mr Chukwujekwu Okoye, during which they vandalised doors, windows, chairs, generating set and other properties in the two buildings in the compound.

Although there was no information to show why the attack was launched on both people, a source, who claimed to be awake when the incident occured, said he overheard the hoodlums saying they came to kill a member of the family, Mr Chukwujekwu Okoye.

According to the source, Chukwujekwu, who is the Chairman of Obuno Village Youth, always used security men to chase away hoodlums from the community, and the monarch was also against their nefarious activities.

An eyewitness and member of the family, Mr Festus Okoye, said he narrowly escaped death on the night of the attack, as the hoodlums, on discovering that he was inside one of the rooms with his family, ordered them to come out.

“Our life is in danger. When they forced our entrance gate open, they went round our compound, destroying all the aluminum glasses and doors to see if there are people inside any of the rooms.

“It was in the process they discovered that I was inside with my wife and my child. They ordered us to come outside. But I pleaded with them. On hearing my voice, they said ‘O h is man of God, let us leave him.’ That was how they spared my family,” Mr Okoye stated.

Collaborating this, Mr Chukwujekwu Okoye, who has gone hiding since the incident, said he has reported the matter to the police, and called for government intervention to nip crime to the bud in Ebenebe, as his life and those of his family were in danger because the hoodlums were still threatening to kill him. 

When contacted, the Traditional Ruler of Ebenebe, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune, admitted that there was an attack on his palace by hoodlums on the said date, but promised to provide details later.

He, however appealed to security agencies to intervene and save the community from such clandestine attacks by suspected cultists.