Fear has enveloped Akpawfu community in Nkanu East Local Council of Enugu following the arrest of leaders of the community’s vigilante operatives better known as the Neighbourhood Watch by operatives from the Police Headquarters, Abuja.
It was gathered that the security men, including the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Chineme Amuziem Nwatu; Goddy Nnaji in charge of operation; Onyeka Nnaji, Godwin Nnaji, Monday Nnamani and Friday Nnamani, were arrested last Thursday during a routine meeting with the police at the Agbani Area Command.
The development has left members of the community in fear, eliciting worries that a worse situation was awaiting them as the remaining members of the vigilante have threatened to quit if their colleagues were not released immediately.
Akpawfu has been the operational base of bandits, who had since forced the people of the community to flee with several persons, particularly community leaders and vigilante men killed and dozens of houses burnt, while schools, churches and markets were shut for almost one year in the community.
However, the community fought back by assembling some of its youths, who volunteered to work as vigilantes by helping the army and other security agencies to fish out the bandits.
While normalcy had started returning to the community, the villagers were hit with the news of the arrest of the vigilante leaders by operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Abuja.
Expressing the concerns of the people of the community, the traditional ruler of Ajame Ameze Akpawfu Autonomous Community, Igwe Christopher Nnamani, said they were shocked at the news of the arrest of the security men by the police without any information as to the offence they committed.
According to him, the security men had the recognition of the state government and the various security agencies in the state.
He expressed fears that the little gain the community and the army had so far made might be eroded following the arrest.
“Immediately after the news of their arrest filtered in, a minibus filled with men came to the operational base of the security men in the village, shouting their names and making the usual threats.
So, we are completely not at ease over the arrest because we don’t know what will happen next now that they have disorganised the local security in the village,” he said.
Further narrating the incident, the monarch said:
“We have been facing serious security challenges in the past two years, but the event of Thursday, June 22, made me shed tears. This is because we are just recovering from the insecurity situation in Akpawfu. Following the introduction of vigilante operatives, the situation started calming down with government security being able to have access to our community once again, culminating in the army finally settling in Akpawfu.
“So, after the army had settled in our place, they invited me and we took them round the villages, appealing to our people to inform their fleeing families that peace is returning. I also called on my people who have fled their homes to return home.
“Our security outfit that helped to return the peace is working with the army and police. The Divisional Police Officer of Nkanu East had scheduled a meeting with our vigilante men today, Friday, June 23, ahead of the final peace meeting in the community on Saturday, June 24.
“Yesterday being Thursday, June 22, my Chief Security Officer (CSO) informed me that the DPO invited them to a meeting at Agbani Area Command. I gave five of them permission to go and also reminded them about the meeting on Friday with the police.
“But to my greatest shock, as they got to Agbani, I was told that some policemen came from Abuja and handcuffed them to be taken to Abuja.
“I went to the state CID but couldn’t find them. I also went to report to the Commissioner of Police but he was not on seat. So, I called him later and he said he was aware of the officers from Force Headquarters. I later learned that they came from the Special Fraud Unit (SFU).
“As I’m talking to you, I have not seen the Abuja officers and I have not seen our security operatives. I was at the State Police Command headquarters but they gave me the impression that the vigilante men had been whisked to Abuja. None of them agreed that they were still in Enugu
“But when I went there this morning, a police officer I know told me that it was Friday morning that they were taken to Abuja. I was later meant to understand that one ASP Zainab led the operation to arrest the men.
“My people are already hoping that the worst is about to happen to them if these men are not released to their families.
“These security men have already suffered a lot for accepting to do this job. Some of them have had their houses burnt because the bandits accused them of giving information to the military and DSS who are gradually picking them up from their hideouts.
“Some of their colleagues have even paid with their lives. One of them, Chukwuma Nnamoko, was severally threatened with death, so he had to resign his position as the CSO. Yet, they killed him on April 17. Also, my palace secretary, Ifeanyi Ogbodo, was shot and killed in his house.
“With the arrest of the security heads, the remaining security men are already threatening that they would quit if their colleagues are not released by the police.
“But I have continued to appeal to them that we are working to ensure their release.”
He disclosed that he had called the team leader of the policemen from Abuja, adding: “But rather than disclose the reason for the arrest, he informed me that my name is with him as one of the persons that should be arrested. He also threatened to arrest me if I don’t report to Abuja.
“All the while I was talking with the policemen on phone, they refused to tell me what the vigilante men did that would warrant their arrest from Force Headquarters.
“I have made representations to the local council chairman and the Commissioner of Police. But I am still making efforts to reach the governor.
“Since these people were assembled, the community had been calm. You can verify from the army and the DPO Nkanu East”.
He called on the state government and the Inspector General of Police to intervene and ensure the release of the men to avoid further damage to the security of the community.
