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From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
There is tension and apprehension in Akpawfu community, Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu, following the arrest of the leaders of the community’s vigilante operatives by the officers from the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The controversial arrest of the operatives better known as the Neighborhood Watch, recognised by the state government, the state police command and other security agencies in the state, has allegedly increased the insecurity in the embattled community.
Akpawfu community which has been under siege by bandit and kidnappers who used the area as their hideout is said to have started seeing signs of relief following the activities of the Neighborhood Watch operatives before the alleged unprovoked arrest by officers of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Leaders of the community confirmed to newsmen yesterday that those arrested included the CSO, Chineme Amuziem Nwatu; Goddy Nnaji, who is in charge of operations, Onyeka Nnaji, Godwin Nnaji, Monday Nnamani and Friday Nnamani. They were tricked attend a phantom security meeting with the police at the Agbani Area Command on Thursday, June 22, where they were arrested.
They lamented that the development had left the community with great fear that the worse situation was awaiting the community especially with the threat by the remaining vigilante men to quit if their colleagues were not released immediately.
Hence, the traditional ruler of Ajame Ameze Akpawfu Autonomous Community, Igwe Christopher Nnamani and the community leaders are calling on the acting Inspector General of Police and the Governor of Enugu to urgently intervene in the situation.
It would be recalled that the activities of bandits who have been using Akpawfu as their operational base, had since forced the natives of the community to flee their homes, with several persons, particularly community leaders and vigilance men killed, and dozens of houses burnt, while schools, churches and markets were shut for almost one year in the community.
But fortunately, the community took the bull by the horns and assembled some of their youths, who volunteered to work as vigilante by helping the army and other security agencies to fish out the bandits.
Igwe Nnamani who addressed newsmen with some leaders of the community expressed serious concerns for his people, noting that they were shocked at the news of the arrest of the security men by the police even without any recourse to him or information as to the offence they committed.
Igwe Nnamani decried the arrest of the community security men, expressing fears that the little gains the community and the army had made so far might be disrupted with the unwarranted arrest of the vigilante men.
“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’re 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 added: “We have been facing serious security challenges in the past two years, but the event of Thursday, June 22, made me to shed tears. This is because as we are recovering from the insecurity situation in Akpawfu following the introduction of vigilance 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 today, Friday June 23, ahead of the final peace meeting in the community on Saturday, June 24.
“Yesterday being Thursday, June 22, my CSO informed me that the DPO invited them to a meeting at Agbani Area Command. I gave five of them the 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 in. 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 vigilance 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 this 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 had even paid with their lives. One of them, Chukwuma Nnamoko, was severally threatened with death. So, he had to resign his position as the Chief Security Officer. 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’re working to ensure their release.”
Igwe Nnamani disclosed that he called the team leader of the policemen from Abuja, “but rather than tell 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, but they refused to tell me what the vigilante men did that would warrant their arrest by the Force Headquarters.
“I have made representations to the local government chairman and the Commissioner of Police. But, I am still making efforts to reach the governor.”