Achi community condemn murder of their sons, ask for Government help
Sons and daughters of Achi in Oji River Local government area of Enugu state on Wednesday the 23rd day of November 2022 met at their ancestral community square (Obu Achi) and condemned the recent assassination of two prominent sons of the community, Hon. Gabriel Onuzulike, former Oji River local government chairman and former Commissioner for Rural Development and his elder brother Chief Elvis Onuzulike.
The meeting which preceeded the meeting of Achi Traditional Rulers Council, deliberated on the way forward over the cold blooded murder of their sons by yet to be identified gunmen.
Those present at the meeting included the Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area, Hon Chinedu Onyeagba, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Tony Mafred Nzekwe, Enugu State Secretary of the PDP, Chigozie Akalusi, Chief Henry Achiekwelu, Chief Offorbuike Johnbosco and many others.
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Adressing the people, Hon. Chigozie Akalusi said the meeting was to express their anger over the cold blooded murder of their brothers and to pay a condolence visit to their families in Achi.
He said it was also to let the world know the heinous crime that was committed, the increasing security challenges in Achi and Oji River LGA and to plead with the government and the security agencies to help unravel the circumstances that led to the incident in order to prevent a recurrence.
In an interaction with Achi Traditional Rulers, who also met at the venue, the assembled Achi indigenes and friends and associates of the deceased were assured by the Royal Fathers that measures were being taken to ensure that the communities in Achi and the local government will be protected from further attacks by criminals.
Speaking on behalf of the royal fathers, the Chairman of Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council Igwe Godwin Madu and Chairman Achi Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Sunday Orah assured those present that they had been briefed by the Chairman of Oji-River LGA, Hon Onyeagba and were satisfied with measures being put in place to ensure their was safety of lives and property of residents of the 12 Autonomous Communities of Achi in particular and Oji-River LGA in general.
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They announced the setting up of an Achi Security Committee, to not only come up with a security road map for Achi but also liase with the Local and State Governments and security agencies on the way forward.
Speaking to Signaturetv, Hon. Tony. Mafred Nzekwe described the incident as a terrible situation which had thrown the entire people of Achi, Oji River and the entire state into mourning.
“The most annoying part is that they were murdered after attending a burial ceremony in the sacred grounds of our community” he said.
He called on security agencies to come to the aid of the communities in the area.
Mr VinMartin Obiora Ilo, an indegene of Achi called on the government to live up to its fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property.
He said that a situation where people are unable to freely return to their ancestral homes because of criminals and gangs of unknown gunmen was unacceptable.
Mr Henry Achiekwelu who described the victims as men of repute and integrity said the incident was a sacrilege and desecration of Achi land, saying every effort should be made to protect citizens.
Those in attendance visited the homes of the victims and condoled with their families.
