Mr Chidiebere Eluwa, a Canadian returnee from Amakama community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, has called for the disbandment of a local vigilante group in his community. He cited threats to people's lives as his primary concern.
Eluwa, who voiced his concerns in Umuahia, alleged that the group was becoming a source of fear and a tool of oppression for the people. He claimed that the group attacked him when he attempted to evict his nephews from his father’s house, at the nephews' invitation.
Eluwa explained that his nephews, who are his sister's sons, have been living in his father’s house for many years after his sister had issues with her husband. However, he expressed regret that they are causing problems for his elderly father and their mother. He stated, “I came back from Canada just to make sure there’s peace in my father’s house because I’m the only son. I gave money to my nephews to rent an apartment elsewhere so that my father who is very old, and my sister, can have peace.”
Eluwa reported the matter to the Police. However, he noted that some policemen who came to the community to handle the matter were attacked by members of the local security outfit. According to him, they also tried to seize an AK 47 rifle belonging to one of the cops.
He called for the disbandment of the security outfit and a thorough investigation of their activities. He added, “The community has been living in fear of this group, and they are afraid to talk.” Eluwa, who said that his nephews are now at large, cried out that they are still threatening him, using men of the community security outfit to harass him.
He further called on the Inspector General of Police to come to the aid of the community and investigate the activities of the said vigilante group.
However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Abia State Command, ASP Maureen Chinaka, said the matter has not been brought to her notice. She advised Eluwa to report the matter to the Commissioner of Police detailing what happened, including the alleged threat to his life, for proper investigations.