Traditional Ruler Held Hostage For Implicating Suspects

CHUKA UBAH

The traditional ruler of Ifite Anam in Anambra State, His Royal Majesty Igwe S.U. Nnose (Ezediebube of Ifite Anam), has been held hostage by some of his subjects after he advised against reprisal killing of Fulani herdsmen in his community.

Over a period of time, some Fulani herdsmen had caused reasonable damage to farmlands around the Anam Community in Anambra State as they took their animals through the area. That had often created friction between them and the local farmers who always had their crops destroyed as they grazed along the route. Efforts had been made in the past to stem the crisis which arose as a result of the menace in the affected areas.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that not too long ago, the Fulani herdsmen were confronted by the local farmers over the wanton destruction of farmlands and crops which had affected the local economy. The confrontation degenerated to a crisis which led to loss of lives, farmlands and crops on the part of the farmers while the herdsmen sustained injuries and lost reasonable number of cows.

For Igwe Nnose, he believes that he is not only a custodian of the tradition of his people but also reasonably the chief security officer of his community as such should ensure peace and security of lives and property of his subjects. Not minding the losses incurred by his subjects after the attack, he advised against reprisal attacks should the herdsmen take their animals through their area.

Recently, the herdsmen passed through the Anam area again and the farmers could not stand the losses incurred. They therefore against the advice of their traditional ruler, Igwe S.U. Nnose, confronted the herdsmen which led to loss of lives. The traditional ruler then invited police operatives who effected the arrest of all his subjects suspected to have taken part in the reprisal attack.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that some members of the community, who felt dissatisfied with the way their traditional ruler brought in the police to take care of the situation, then laid the claim that he must have been settled by the herdsmen. They then gathered and held the monarch hostage for some days now asking him to influence the release of those who were arrested by the police over the incident.

A prominent member of the community, Fabian Udealor, who spoke with PM.EXPRESS, condemned the action of those who took laws into their hands to hold their traditional ruler hostage for being a responsible king. He called on the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, and the security agencies to as a matter of urgency wade into the matter and restore normalcy in the agrarian community.