Community warns Ohaneze, others against provocative Statements
Chief Nnia Nwodo, President of Ohaneze Ndigbo
Following the unfortunate acts of violence and lawlessness by some suspected hoodlums that culminated in the avoidable loss of lives including two police officers, ACP Oliver Abbey and ASP Joseph Akubo, in Oraifite community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state, on December 2, 2019, the Executives of Oraifite Improvement Union, has warned the leadership of Pan Igbo social-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo and other influential individuals in and outside the affected community to stop making provocative statement that would potentially incite further violence and lawlessness in the community while police investigation is ongoing.
According to President General, Oraifite Improvement Union, Sir Sunny Igboanuzue, who spoke on behalf of the community in a press conference organize by it leadership at the NUJ press centre Awka, on Monday, said the people of Oraifite village are particularly perturbed that certain influential individuals and perceived leaders of some respective communities, including of Ohaneze Ndigbo, with out the facts of the matter, reasonable diligence or sense of responsibility, are making public statement and or contributions to the media that could potential obstruct the justice that the community are all seeking.
He said it is quite unfortunate that the ill-informed individuals are trying to use the situation to score political points or acquire cheap popularity.
According to him, for the avoidance of doubt, the background and the actions that led to gruesome murder of two senior police officers and its aftermath of violence and destruction of properties resulted from felonious rivalry and disputes between two cultist groups namely Otu Eke and Otu Afor Masquerades.
“Based on these facts, we implore all stakeholders, particularly those in influential positions and in positions to frame public opinion, to exercise wisdom and judgement in public statement and contributions to the media”
“All stakeholders must avoid the urge to investigate and adjudicate these heinous crimes in the media rather than in a legitimate court of law, he added.
He commend the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, for recognising the seriousness of the the crimes and the priority they deserve in ordering the transfer of the case to Police Force Headquarters for proper investigation and prosecution by the Special Investigation Unit.
He also empathize with all the families that lost loved ones through the incidents, particularly the people of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom for their public expression of love and peace notwithstanding the magnitude of their loss, late ACP Oliver Abbey.
