The
last time I checked, Imo in her entirety was undoubtedly in a mourning state
that even the blind could observe the wearing physiognomy of the Eastern Heartland.
The
unfortunate outlook of the state was informed by the ugly incident that ensued
penultimate week, precisely on Sunday, 24th June 2018. On that
tragic day, the traditional ruler of Mgbee Autonomous Community in Orlu Local
Government Area (LGA), Eze Brendan Ibekwe was reportedly butchered like a
chicken by suspected assassins.
In
accordance with the report, the hired killers had met him on his way to an
official assignment on the aforementioned day and shot him repeatedly till he
passed on. In order to ensure that he was truly lifeless, they cut his throat
with machete just like one would do to a mere fowl ready for consumption.
Having accomplished their ungodly
mission, the corpse was dumped along the Orlu-Owerri Expressway, a few
kilometres from his palace. It was further gathered that the assassins stole
his royal beads, wrist band and mobile phone. This implies that if they had
more time, they would have even left with his entire regalia, particularly
clothes.
As
it has always been said that “no smoke without fire”, the news making the
rounds indicate that the affected community had been embroiled in communal
crises, thereby pitching one village against another. Hence, they had been
deeply involved in the faceoff, perhaps without minding the pitfalls.
On
the other hand, it is rumoured that the murder might not be unconnected with
the just concluded LG primary elections in the state as it concerned the
community. It is insinuated that the conflict of interest that resulted during
the polls between some individuals in the area could be the cause of the
incident.
As at Tuesday, 26th June
2018, the Imo State Police Command via its Spokesperson Mr. Andrew Enwerem,
confirmed the killing and disclosed that two people had already been arrested
in connection with the ordeal. He went further to inform that the Commissioner
of Police (CP), Mr. Dasuki Galandanchi had ordered an immediate investigation
into the dastardly act.
The moment the news arrived my desk in the
early morning of Monday being the following day after the bad omen, I couldn’t
help but kept pondering over how we managed to get to this point. I kept asking
myself the scenario that actually led us as a people to this unspeakable arena.
In a similar development, early June 2018, it
was reported that the people of Ogbozinne Autonomous Community in Nkanu LGA,
Enugu State was thrown into a state of shock as their royal father – Igwe
Stephen Nwatu – was gruesomely slain by some of his disgruntled subjects.
The slain monarch was reportedly beaten
to coma by the community members before he eventually joined his ancestors
unwillingly. Though it was gathered that the ruler allegedly used his vehicle
and police escorts to consciously knock down an old man who was presumably
among his antagonists, I saw no iota of reason the ostensibly aggrieved persons
would resort to taking the law into their hands as if we are in ‘banana
republic’.
It is so saddening that at a time we are
deeply perturbed and bedevilled over the incessant ongoing massacre of
residents and farmers in some parts of the country by alleged herders, we are
here practising patricide or what have you. It suffices to say that when people
in some quarters are bothered over the killings of their relatives by strangers
or invaders, we are right here busy slaughtering ourselves.
Hence, at a moment we are supposed to be
formidably united towards defending ourselves and territory, or being our
brothers’ keeper, we are rather posing threat to them and even going extra mile
to take their lives. How do we reconcile this? This paradox of life is what has
not ceased to keep my person so worried and mesmerized ever since I got the
news of that assassination that took place in the state.
It
is, therefore, needless to remind the police that at such a time like this, the
ball is conspicuously in their court. It is their statutory obligation to
unravel the actual rudimentary origin of this irrational occurrence piloted by
some obnoxious elements in our midst as well as ensure that no stone is left
unturned toward serving justice.
I equally want to use this medium to
urge the various traditional rulers in the state and its environs to desist from
any form of activity that might warrant doom to their persons and/or respective
communities. They must at all cost steer clear of any such act as partisanship,
politicking, persecution and prejudice, among others.
A real royal father is expected to
remain neutral, apolitical, independent, and above all god-fearing. It’s not
anymore news that some of our contemporary traditional custodians are deeply
involved in active politics, which is totally an aberration.
The government, on its part, ought to ensure
that it swiftly wades into any ensued crisis taking place in any community
within its jurisdiction with a view to addressing the plight without much ado.
We shouldn’t wait until a quagmire gets out of hand before taking the apt
action.
It is the duty of the government to
ensure that every locality under its territory is safe and peaceful at all
times, hence the need to prevent or stop, as the case may be, any factor that
could be a barrier to such lofty expectation. Security of lives and property
remains the fundamental constitutional duty of the governments at all levels.
As it stands, three parties are
currently needed to properly investigate the ordeal that befell Mgbee
Autonomous Community. The parties in question are: the government, the police
and the bereaved community.
The above stated stakeholders need to
put heads together toward doing only the needful as we eagerly look forward to
hearing the good side of the story. But, how soon will it come as we mourn this
fine royal father? Think about it!
FDN Nwaozor
National Coordinator,
Right Thinkers Movement
___________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter:
@mediambassador
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