By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The traditional ruler of Awba-Ofemili in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ezekwesili Ernest Maduagwuna, has cried out over alleged takeover of the community by suspected hoodlums, saying that they have laid siege on his people’s farmland.

He also said that the hoodlums have heavily destroyed the yam/rice farms in the area.

The monarch raised the alarm while speaking at a strategic security stakeholders’ interactive meeting for Anambra Central Senatorial District organized by the Anambra State Police Command, and held at Dora Akunyili women development center in Awka.

According to him, investigation showed that the suspected hoodlums are operating from the boundary forest.

He said: “As a result of the persistent attacks, my people predominantly farmers have abandoned their farms for fear of being kidnapped, raped, tortured or killed.”

The royal father called on the federal, state and local government to urgently come to their aid to avert a total breakdown of law and order in the area, noting that the armed herdsmen have been terrorising the local people without restraint.

He further called on the Anambra and Enugu State governments, the Nigeria Police and other concern authorities to intervene to save the lives and economic means of his people.

Ezekwesili added: “A state of emergency should be urgently declared in Awba-Ofemili and other towns in Awka North LGA following the terror that is currently ongoing in the area.

“They are attacking us to take over our land and as I speak, the destruction is ongoing.

“I am passionately appealing to the Anambra and Enugu State governments to look into it and I do the needful by one; to established the boundary, secondly, to make sure that there’s a strong collaboration between the Anambra Police and Enugu police to curtaile the unrest.

“The people of Awba-Ofemili have been calling for dialogue but our brothers and sisters from Enugu State don’t want to agree. They don’t want the boundary to be shared, even when the Anambra deputy governor, his Enugu counterpart and the National Boundary Commission agree on amicable resolution, yet the people refused to agree.

“As part of this and other security challenges in the area, I have gotten an approval from the Police Authority at the force headquarters Abuja to establish a Police station in my Awba-Ofemili community to curb the challenges because there is no police presence in our area.

“My area is a den of forest, so we need full presence of Police officers. Even at Achalla, the headquarters of Awka North LGA, there’s no functional police patrol vehicles.

We are pleading with the Anambra State Government ably led by Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo to continue to assist Udo-Ga-Chi, our local Vigilante outfit to enable them function efficiently.”

He however commended the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama for organizing the event.

Ealier In his remark, CP Ama stressed that effective policing requires the collective support and partnership of the people.

He assured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, preventing crime, and maintaining peace and public order throughout the State.

While noting that the security stakeholders meeting in the senatorial district will be a continuous exercise, Ama urged residents to actively participate in the engagement and contribute meaningfully towards building a safer and more secure Anambra State.

The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to identify emerging security challenges, share actionable intelligence, strengthen inter-agency, community collaboration, and develop practical strategies for enhancing public safety across Anambra State.