Nimo community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has cried out, over the invasion of their town by hoodlums.
The traditional ruler of Nimo, Igwe Maximus Ike Oliobi, who spoke on behalf of the community said the invasion took place on Saturday.
It was gathered that some youths who besieged the community in their numbers, forcefully shutdown the town’s market square, chasing away traders, as they carried around the corpse of a deceased young man.
They accused the leadership of the community of engineering the arrest of the youth, which later led to his death, days after he was released.
But Oliobi said: “The protesters, including the deceased, are the people disturbing the peace, unity, togetherness and the development of Nimo Community. We are calling for help from the Anambra State government.
“The protest was for their selfish interest and not for the interest of real Nimo youths. This set of youths that are holding this community to ransom are not more than 30 in number. For the past three years, their criminal activities have thrown the community into chaos and disunity.
“I am innocent of the allegation levelled against me. This gang of youths are protesting against my throne for waging war against kidnapping, armed robbery and for not welcoming land grabbing activities in the community.
“The community under my rulership has done everything possible to engage these gangsters so that they can be useful to themselves, their families and to the community, but they refused to work, rather preferring to involve in land grabbing and other nefarious activities that will fetch them quick money.”;;
Nimo has for sometime been witnessing youth restiveness. The unrest stems mostly from allegations that they were being sidelines by the leadership of the community.
In December last year, it took the invitation of soldiers by the monarch, for its residents to celebrate the yuletide peacefully.
The monarch said: “They are doing everything criminally possible to chase away investors in our land and frustrate my reign.
“I was a successful businessman before I was called to come and serve my good people because of my long-time contributions to the development of the community.”;;
He called on the security agencies, particularly, the Police, DSS and the newly inaugurated state security outfits, Udo Ga Achi/Agunechembra operatives, to come to their aid.
