Residents of Enugwu Nanka in Nanka community, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, have implored Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene, expressing concern that incidents of violence have escalated.
In a distress call conveyed through a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter from the Enugwu Nanka village leadership, signed by Joe Omehaa, the chairman, and Peter Godson Oforkansi, the secretary, the village union highlighted the existing divisions in Nanka. They claimed that certain influential individuals were attempting to suppress the majority for standing up for the truth.
The letter detailed various instances of killings and attempted assassinations within the community, asserting that a concerning pattern has emerged where police investigations are halted after each killing.
The letter specifically mentioned the murder of a 25-year-old man, Mr. Toochukwu Onyemelukwe, in Enugwu Nanka Village square. According to the letter, the motive behind this crime was the victim’s affiliation with the opposing faction of the village union, the Enugwu Nanka Village Development Union, as opposed to the faction (ODU) controlled by powerful figures.
The group also reported that Mr. Martin Okeke, who reported the murder to the police, has faced multiple assassination attempts due to his involvement in reporting the crime. Additionally, they highlighted the recent killing of a politician, Mr. Joe Mohale, by unknown gunmen, after he interacted with the member representing Orumba North and South Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Princess Chinwe Nnabuife, against advice.
The community appealed to Governor Soludo to order an investigation into the numerous killings in Nanka and examine the reasons behind the factionalization of the town union, which has led to abnormalities, sacrileges, and abominations.
Addressing the factionalism, the group remarked, “Both Nanka Town Union and villagers are into factions and frictions due to high-handedness and cover-up activities in Nanka.” They expressed concern that if not addressed, these factions could lead to the total collapse of their town and urged the governor to allow the police to conduct thorough investigations into the crimes in Nanka.