After the violence that recently erupted in Idumuje-Ugboko, an agrarian community in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State, the tale is such that could be described as evidence of sorrow, tears and blood. The gory sight of the point where a young man was murdered, the injured youths, the displaced and homeless, the wanton destruction of properties, all this attest to the wreck left behind by the royal family entrusted with the custody and destiny of the community of Ugboko and her people. Even the team of police from the offices of the AIG Zone 5, Benin, the CP Delta State Command and the DPO Divisional Police Headquarters, Issele-Uku could not resist an intermittent facial expressions of surprises at the level of mayhem unleashed on a community by her own immediate ruling family and their cohorts.
Before conducting journalists round the town to families whose houses were destroyed, one of the actors, Prince Ned Nwoko had briefed the media representatives before the OC Legal from Benin, the outcome of the meeting of parties in the Ugboko crisis with the AIG Abubakar.
From the whole scenario, it appears that the bone of contention between Prince Nonso Nwoko and Prince Ned Nwoko is the 90 hectares of land allocated to the latter for the setting up of a sport university, which was sparked off by previous personal acrimony. The documents shown indicated that the land was duly approved to be given to Ned by the former Obi Albert Nwoko prior to his demise, before the coming up of Prince Nonso Nwoko to oppose the approval and attempting to disrupt the ceding of the said land for the establishment of a university of sports.
The Odogwu of Ugboko, Chief Sunday Anthony Edemodu, who is also a victim of the crisis, confirmed as the Land Allocation Chairman that Obi Albert duly approved the allocation of the said land to Ned as agreed by Ugboko community. He exonerated Ned of any wrong doing, adding that his family was attacked for standing on the truth.
The Secretary of the Land Allocation Committee, Mr. Kennedy Iloh also affirmed the claims of the Odogwu, maintaining that Prince Nonso Nwoko is opposed to development in the community even when his qualification for the next Ugboko king remains in doubt. He said a handful of elders in the community were beaten up and rendered homeless by thugs loyal to Prince Nonso Nwoko, just for speaking the truth.
Meanwhile, every other victim spoken to, including a 75 year old Mrs. Maria Nwoko alleged that one Ashioma Omezie led Chiejume Ndudi, Kachi Nwoko, Nnamdi Ochei, Nonso Omeife a.k.a Mandela, Iyke Moemeke, Ifeanyi Chima, Nwabuisi Chima, Ndudi Chibu and over 25 other alleged thugs from the palace to beat them up and destroy their houses at night. She pleaded with the police to be in constant operation in the community to protect them, claiming that their lives are in danger as the entire community has been engulfed in fears.
However, it was later learnt that over 150 youths and elders, including the Iyase of Ugboko, Chief Chris Ogwu and the last wife of the former Obi, Queen Faith Okwukwe Nwoko now live at the Mount Ned Nwoko as refugees, even in their own community.
The now frayed looking Iyase of Ugboko, Chief Chris Ogwu, a veteran journalist himself and pioneer Editor of the Pointer Newspaper stressed that only God can help them from the hands of a tyrant who would do anything to become king. He said ever since the incident where his house and brand new car were destroyed he had sought refuge in tightly secured Ned Nwoko’s house.
Chief Ogwu had earlier briefed the press in Asaba after the carnage in his community. With this on the spot assessment of damage in the community of Ugboko, it could be deduced that all what he said was true.
According to the Ugboko Youth Leader, Comrade Emmanuel Kogwonye, “We as youths have decided not to fight back at those attacking us, no matter the level of provocation. We thank our illustrious son, Hon. Ned Nwoko for making his country home available for our safety. So we are here to protect our people, while also ensuring that no attack comes to Mount Ned Nwoko. This whole issue started when Prince Ned said he was bringing a university to our community, which we welcomed as development. But some cabal turned his good intention and gesture into selfish interest with an attempt to rubbish our patrimonial relationship”.
Perhaps, houses were destroyed across the length and breadth of the community. The following include the numerous houses and equipment destroyed: Agbamuche Elozie, Moses Chisimdi, Chukwunweike Maduagwu, Onweazu Ofili, Chief Sunday Edemodu, Chief Chris Ogwu, Mrs. Gladys Kaogwaonye (PDP Woman Leader), Victor Eziokwu Omezie and others had their houses destroyed, including a car, motor cycles, cassava machine, pumping machine and other household equipment.
Moreover, several attempts had been made through calls to Prince Nonso Nwoko, the supposed crown prince to give his opinion on the happenings in his community and way forward for peace, but to no avail. At the point when he picked, he refused to make comment, instead he said he would arrange for a convenient later date for an appointment. However, we have not been able to speak with him before this publication.
