An indigene of Ndioma compound, Okon Ohafia, the Okon Aku development union vice president and the PDP councillorship candidate from the last concluded local government election, Igwe Akumaku has narrated how he was brutalized on November 2nd 2024 when unknown security personnel surrounded his house around past 3:am in the night.
Igwe said it later unfolded that it was allegedly plotted by the deputy governor of Abia State which the case is still in Ohafia police station where the records stated that the deputy governor told the idp that was on the case that he was interested on the matter.
According to Igwe, since then his life has been in danger, adding that he has not enjoyed his freedom as a citizen.
His words, “I don’t sleep in my house, there has been several attempts to attack me”.
On a particular day while I was going out from my house one of the boys working for the deputy governor from ndiovum compound whom he went there and choose one Bernard Inyama that has Benkamad filling station the person the deputy governor made Ezeogo through the committee the deputy governor constituted, so this boys blocked me and were throwing stones at me which I have the report”.
Igwe further stated that the boy allegedly recruited to monitor his movement made a law that he can’t have visitors, and no motorcycle should be seen coming into his compound or else the person will be attacked.
He disclosed that ever since two of his siblings have been attacked with a cutlass and the case is in Ohafia police division.
He narrated that on the 26th January while he was coming back from the meeting, at the point of entering his compound, “Benkamad boys blocked me and refused me access into my compound, they surrounded me and beat me up before people came to my rescue and rushed me to the hospital.
Igwe Akumaku told our correspondent that the said boys claimed that he insulted the deputy governor, the autonomous Eze, Ndukwe Iko (who is the person the deputy governor made autonomous eze) and
others that, “I should call whosoever I know to rescue me”.
Igwe however revealed that”incidentally on the Day of Councillorship Election in Abia State
In the early hours of 3:00 am on November 2, 2024, armed men invaded my compound. Fortunately, I was not at home due to several threatening calls and messages I had received days prior to the election.
He continued that “These men broke into my house and arrested two of my relatives, Uche Kalu and Obinna Kalu. We later learned they were tortured and taken first to the Ohafia Army Barracks and then transferred to the Ohafia Police Station.
According to reports, their alleged “offense” was insulting the Deputy Governor”.
“The next morning, I rushed to the police station to inquire about their detention and demanded access to their case documents, but I was denied. I was also informed that the Deputy Governor himself had visited the police station, where he threatened my relatives and anyone who would attempt to secure their release. It became clear that the Deputy Governor orchestrated the armed invasion of my house”.
My relatives were detained for over a week in both police and army custody without charges or proper documentation. Eventually, they were granted bail, but not before enduring severe torture.
He further claimed that the deputy governor in the morning after the arrests, came to his village with his security team and issued further threats, warning that more arrests would follow.
“I reported the incident to Vanguard, and their investigation confirmed that the Deputy Governor was responsible for the illegal arrests, torture, and invasion of my home. These actions were clearly politically motivated, as I was the PDP councillorship candidate with significant community support”.
“Although I was declared the winner of the election by the electoral officer, my mandate was later stolen and handed over to the Deputy Governor’s preferred candidate. This individual, who now claims to be the councilor, has been attacking and defaming me publicly.
Igwe also alleged that Prior to the election, “the Deputy Governor wrote to community leaders, including the Development Union President and the Chiefs in Council, declaring that the state government had taken over communal land belonging to different families. When the community demanded further explanation, he refused to provide any”.
“Instead, he began targeting community leaders. In March 2024, the Development Union President and another community member were arrested on allegations of vandalizing a government oil processing mill”. “They were detained at Ohafia Police Station for several days and later transferred to the State CID in Umuahia, where they were held for two weeks. This case is still in court”.
“While the Development Union President was in detention, the Deputy Governor set up a committee to install new community leaders. Among the appointees was Ndukwe Iko, who was later made the Traditional Ruler through a process that was heavily rigged and influenced by the Deputy Governor”.
“Instability Under the New Leadership
Since Ndukwe Iko assumed the position of Traditional Ruler, the community has experienced continuous unrest. There have been numerous cases of illegal arrests, false charges, and deliberate persecution of individuals perceived as opponents. The traditions, processes, and culture of the community have been disregarded”.
“Additionally, Ndukwe Iko has mobilized a group of youths, mostly from a specific compound (Ndi Owom), who now act as thugs. These youths go around harassing and attacking people in the community, further destabilizing the area”.
