By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Palpable fear has gripped the people of Oba, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, following death threats from a South Africa-based son of the community (name withheld).

The recorded death threat warns that heads will roll if the youths, the rich and some Igweship candidates frustrate the smooth conduct of Igwe Ezeokpoko 11 election in the community.

The voice record says in part: “The youths don't allow yourselves to be corrupted because I heard you collected N7million from one of the candidates for Igweship election.

“This is somebody I do not know how he emerged as Ezeigbo in Lagos. If you allow one Ukadike that is out to destroy Oba, to use you, then wait for the catastrophe from me that will befall you, this is not boasting, as I said so shall it be.

“I am not interested in my property in Oba, I can set my house ablaze to tell you that I am serious and not losing anything in Oba, those who doubt my threat because I want peaceful conduct of Igweship election in Oba, let them try me and see. If Njubigbo fails during the screening for the Ezeokpoko 11 election, he should go home and rest, anyone who doubts my threat let's see how it goes. Njubigbo and Ukadike want to destroy Oba.”

The threatening voice, which has been circulated in most of the platforms of Oba people, has made some indigenes to demand action from the President General (PG) of Oba Patriotic Union, OPU, Chief Anthony Uzor Ejiofor, while security agencies have been briefed.

Worried indigenes have called on the PG not to feign ignorant of the threat, saying that the disgruntled indigene is the Admin of more than two Oba community platforms where the voice note was circulated.

They noted that the situation in Oba is worsened by the threatening man’s claim of beingresponsible for the Ozubulu church massacre that killed over 50morning mass attendees some years ego.

When contacted, the PG told journalists that he does not known the South Africa-based son of the community and wondered why those he described as enemies of the community did not link him up to Egwuenu.

He said: “Some people may have brought him to the limelight. Afam did not just come out; circumstances in Oba invited him and he's coming during Okuzu Oba village election for Igweship. How come Afam started mentioning Ukadike's name and why did he ask him to steer clear of the venue of the election? I don't know Afam.

“On the 18th June as we were about to commence screening of the four Igweship candidates at Nkwo Civic Centre, the Oba Youth President, Hon. Ebuka Ochudo, rushed and turned the tables upside-down and scattered the entire thing, saying that there would not be screening for the Igweship election and I learnt that Afam was not happy about the stoppage and warned the youth president to stay clear of the venue.

“I think the threat may be his way of warning the youth president that his might is stronger than his.

“Ebuka Ochudo may have been sponsored to do what he did.”

The PG further said that the Chairman of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon. Amaka Obi, on learning of the issue, has waded in by inviting some stakeholders of the community to proffer lasting solution to the fracas, adding that there is no cause for alarm.