Concerned stakeholders insist hatred directed at Awka people is condemnable and anti-Semitic 

AWKA, Anambra – Concerned stakeholders in Awka, the Anambra state capital, have condemned what they described as unwarranted attacks on notable citizens of the area by those opposed to the peace, progress, and development of the town.

They strongly criticized what they saw as ongoing attacks and a campaign of calumny against Ozo Jeff Ezechukwu Nweke, Ozo Zuluezu, who they argued is being targeted out of jealousy, fear, and savagery.

The group took this position on Thursday in a statement jointly signed by the Coordinator, Amobi Okeke, and the Secretary, Elder Samuel Onwuka, which was made available to newsmen in Awka, the state capital.

According to the statement, “Trepidation is the root cause, as some believe that Awka lands should have become a national commodity by now, with land thieves seizing them at will. Since they were unable to accomplish this, their hatred has grown.”

They declared, “It is time for all Awka citizens to rise up and collectively put an end to this act of injustice, character assassination, and intimidation being perpetrated by the smaller towns around us against one of our own.”

The statement continued, “Now, the detractors are at it again. The enemies of Awka have resumed their nefarious activities. Our illustrious son, a major stakeholder in Awka town, and an Ozo titled chief, Ozo Jeff Ezechukwu Nweke Jonny, was invited back by the Ezinano community in Awka to help them defend their lands from being grabbed by surrounding towns.”

“He answered the call as requested, just as his father did before him, and recovered all the stolen lands, returning them to the community. Furthermore, he established a security outfit, fully registered under the state government, to complement the government’s efforts in maintaining peace and order in Awka. And these were his ‘offenses.'”

The group added, “An incident that took place sometime last year is what the detractors are now using against him, without any justification. They are repeating the same tactics they used against his father—without evidence, based purely on hearsay, fabrications, and fallacies.”

According to the group, “It was widely reported when Mr. Benjamin Ezemma (Big Ben), a well-known real estate mogul and co-founder of Dubai Estate Awka, was kidnapped on November 12, 2024.”

“Heavy sporadic gunshots were heard around 7:00 pm, near MAX B Hotels. Soon after, news spread that Big Ben had been kidnapped. Reports also indicated that he was coming from a meeting at MANGO AND LION HOUSE on S.M. Okeke Avenue.”

They emphasized, “What is happening now is that some security agents, who are being used by these same enemies of Awka, are attempting to implicate Ozo Zuluezu in the matter, simply because the young man who was kidnapped had been at a meeting with him. Everyone knows what the security situation was like at that time.”

“No one is saying that the security agents shouldn’t do their job, but it must be thorough, especially now that scientific security gadgets and cameras are available.”

The group is demanding, “A clear, concrete proof from the security agencies that our own son, Jeff Ezechukwu Nweke, is involved in the kidnapping saga, rather than relying on gossip, insinuations, personal vendettas, and the fallacies of detractors to draw conclusions on such a delicate matter.”

“Ozo Jeff Ezechukwu Nweke is a man of positivity, intelligence, articulation, philanthropy, and a determined fighter. We will not fold our arms and watch an innocent man be wrongly implicated in something he knows nothing about.”