5 injured in Awka as police , soldiers stop New Yam Festival

Security forces open fire on youths

 

Maduako Igbokwe I Saturday, 10 September 2022

 

AWKA, Anambra, Nigeria – At least five persons were said to have been injured, following pandemonium in Awka, the capital of Anambra state  as officers and men of the Nigerian Police and Army sealed off the palace of a self-acclaimed traditional ruler of Awka town, Ozo Austin Ndigwe who  was in the process of celebrating this year’s New Yam Festival.

As early as 6.30 am on Saturday,  all the roads leading to  Umukwa  in Awka town were blocked by security operatives stopping vehicular movement in the area. An eye witness observed developments before the arrival of our reporter  said that some guests were teargassed  when they refused to leave the venue of the New Yam Festival, leading to stamped at the entrance of the palace.

An elderly man  in the village who never wanted his name on print said “They woke me up this morning and people  told  me that police wants to seal off the palace and I told them that traditional rulers from the South East and beyond  are already inside the palace and the one that is more disturbing is that the security operatives were firing live bullets at the people mostly youths who came to find out what is happening”

“I am not sure if anybody died but there were casualties of those who got injured and I think about five persons were injured during the stamped,” he said.

He further explained that he made contacts at the Police Command and that the order came from the government house Awka and it was also confirmed at the zonal command.  One of the policemen on duty told our reporter  that he is only  carrying out an order from their superiors.

He said he is not in the position to provide details.  However unconfirmed report had it that the order to stop the festival was from Gov Charles Soludo but government sources said that it is not aware of any order from the governor.

Commissioner for Local government and Chieftaincy matters Mr Tony Collins Nwabunwanne said that he did not issue any release or directive to that effect, stating  that the security operatives are carrying out their duties of maintaining law and order.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Tochukwu Ikenga also said that he is not aware of the presence of security operatives at the palace of Ozo Austin Ndigwe but promised to make a statement as soon as possible.

This recent development seems to be connected to the lingering crisis over who is the substantive Eze Uzu of Awka kingdom which has pitched cabinet Chiefs against each other following the emergence of Ndigwe who claim to be Eze Uzu the 3rd.

However Igwe Gibson Nwosu the Eze Uzu the 2nd is still seated on his throne and is duly recognized by the Anambra state government since the military era till date.

When contacted Igwe Gibson Nwosu said that he is not aware of the presence of security operatives at the factional Eze Uzu’s palace adding that there is nothing like Eze Uzu the 3rd .

Nwosu had since last year petitioned the state Police Command over the claim by Ndigwe that he is the Monarch of Awka town and the then Police Commissioner explained to him  that traditional Chieftaincy tussle is not part of his duties.

When contacted Ozo Austin Ndigwe the factional Traditional Ruler said that he is in a meeting and cannot talk at the moment.