IDUMUJE-UGBOKO TERRORISM: Let The Sinners Face The Consequences Of Their Actions!

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One of the certainties or realities of life is the recompense for wrong doing, the assurance that for every action or inaction, there is a reward, an unavoidable fact a few people have to understand and accept.

This reality is also buttressed by the example of a farmer who goes to plant different crops during the farming season, and when it is time to harvest, he would not be expecting what he did not plant as recompense for his hard work.

May 18, 2017 was the day caution was thrown to the winds in Idumuje-Ugboko as mayhem was unleashed on the people, with majority of them now crying for justice and restitution as the case maybe.

The terror attack on the people of Idumuje-Ugboko was said have been orchestrated by Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko, with his financiers and some members of his gang. These individuals were instrumental to the actual killings and destruction of properties that went on the day in question.

The victims had expressed their grievances and demanded for justice in a four-page petition entitled; "Idumuje-Ugboko Terrorism, “The Victims Cry Out: We Want Justice Not Justin."

The petition was co-signed on May 8, 2020 on behalf of all the 29 victims of the act of terror in Idumuje-Ugboko by nine prominent persons, which included the Iyase of Idumuje-Ugboko, Chief Chris Ogwu, Odogwu of Idumuje-Ugboko, Chief Edemolu, wife of the late Obi Albert Nwoko, Queen Faith Okwukwe Nwoko, Prince Chukwuma Nwoko (AC), Prince Uche Appear Nwoko, Mr. Chisindi Moses, Ms Gladys Kogwuonye, Mr. Donatus Dibie and Mr. Bennet Okoh

They stated in their petition that eleven persons among the attackers have since been charged to court with pleadings from the four (4) apprehended so far and clearly stated that a bench warrant had also been issued on the (7)seven that are still at large "especially the key tormentors who are:

1. Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko,

2. The gang Leader, Prince Dennis Uwadiegwu Nwoko and

3.Prince Frederick Ejimofor Nwoko

These persons are still at large."

While pleading with the authorities to ensure speedy justice on the matters, the petitioners requested that "some of those involved either by financiers or had hands in securing the services of bandits outside the community should be equally prosecuted."

Now, a new twist has been added to the already very bad situation through the collection of levies from individuals and group of persons which would make Idumuje-Ugboko Development Union (IUDU) appear as possible cosponsors and financiers of the reign of terror instead of development in the community. The letter of appeal for funds dated 2nd June, 2020 and signed by Okey Ifejoku and Azuka Mukolu , President-General and Secretary-General of the Union respectively does seem to indicate the Union is on trial, which is not the case. This development, the people of Idumuje-Ugboko must be warned about and advised to take judicial notice of, given the legal and moral implications of this action which will be far-reaching in the future.

According to the petitioners, it was alleged that the services of bandits from far and near were engaged by persons which included Mr. Godwin Akaba Aniemeke (a.k.a Deputy), on the instruction of Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko with likes Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie (MD Rainoil Nigeria Ltd.), who is one of the financiers of Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko. It inferred in the petition that attempts were made and is still being made to offer members of Aniocha North Traditional Rulers Committee large sums of money to compromise them endorsing recommendation to the Delta State Government for the recognition and issuance of Staff of Office to Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko as Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko, a man, currently facing litany of criminal and civil cases before the courts.

It is pertinent to note that anyone who contributes money for the defense of those charged with terrorism offenses is inadvertently showing support for the destructions and deaths caused by the defendants, as the union did not send or encourage the individuals anywhere to arm thugs that killed, maim and destroyed properties of fellow innocent Ugboko people.

How does one justify the collection of monies by people who do not care about what happens to our people, their safety and security, as Idumuje-Ugboko Development Union is not on trial, neither is Idumuje-Ugboko as a community.

Some Individuals who committed crime and should face the law and its consequences.

Gabriel Ogbechie in particular has been blackmailing and intimidating the people, including the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights Commission. He is the key sponsor of the terrorists and those standing trial. It is best for those charged to sought themselves out or face the music without dragging others in.

The current President-General of the Idumuje-Ugboko Development Union, IUDU, Mr. Okey Ifejoku must therefore desist from dragging the union into his personal fights, as the union did not tell him to arm thugs to killed and destroyed the properties of his fellow Idumuje-Ugboko people.

Refreshing our individual memories, it will be recalled that the genesis of the crisis in Idumuje-Ugboko could be traced to when Prince Chukwunonso Justin Nwoko, a son of the King (Obi) "contrary to customs and norms of Idumuje-Ugboko," allegedly appeared on the scene with a letter dated 12th August, 2015 "purported to have been authored by the King (Obi) feigning ignorance of all the activities leading to the allocation of land for the establishment of a Golf Course and STARS University at Idumuje-Ugboko."

So, until these issues are resolved and put to a complete closure, any person or group of persons contributing money for any reason whatsoever, especially for a court case which is an individual thing, does so at his or her detriment, for we are not known to encourage, support or fan the fabrics of evil in Idumuje-Ugboko and we should not start now to display complacency on an issue such as this.