The traditional ruler of Enugwu-Agidi community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, HRH Michael Okekeuche, has disowned a suspected notorious kidnapper, Mr Chukwudi Tansi who was recently arrested in the community.
Operatives Agunechemba, the newly launched security outfit in Anambra, had busted a kidnappers’ den in the community, arresting Tansi and recovering several arms and ammunition within the den.
The arrest has pitted the president general of the community, Mr Ebuka Onuorah against his traditional ruler, HRH Michael Okekeuche as they accuse each other of being collaborators of the suspect, who is said to be a member of the community’s vigilante.
Onuorah had earlier accused Okekeuche of being the employer of the suspect, and insisting that he remained in the community’s vigilante, but in reply, the monarch called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to investigate the involvement of the suspect in kidnapping, and also bring to book his collaborators.
The monarch denied the suspect, insisting that he is a member of the private security of the president general, and has severally been used for various nefarious jobs.
Members of the Enugwu-Agidi traditional council, Mr Ifeanyi Ndulue, press secretary to the traditional ruler and Mr Victor Okeke, the cabinet secretary who briefed journalists in Awka on behalf of the monarch, said there was need to put the record straight.
Ndulue said the accusations by Onuorah against the monarch was meant to divert attention away from himself and implicate him, when in real sense, the arrested kidnapper has been his (Onuorah’s) ally.
He said: “His Royal Highness Igwe Michael Chidozie Okekeuche (Okpalariam 111 of Enugwu-Agidi) is happy with the arrest of the alleged kidnapper, Mr Chukwudi Tansi in our community.
“The traditional ruler is calling for a thorough investigation into his arrest, so as to unveil those he is working for. The Igwe is particularly happy that operatives have risen to the mandate of ensuring zero tolerance for crimes in the state and Enugwu-Agidi in particular. He thanked Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for his wonderful security framework in the state.”
