SORROWS, TEARS & BLOOD: The Rising Tragedy of Armed Intimidation and Trigger-Happy Security in Nnewi [VIDEOS]

 

Written by Nkan'uzu Anaedo

For Nnewi First Movement

At exactly 18:57hrs on Wednesday, 15th April 2025, as I prepared to enter my final meeting of the day, my phone rang. The voice on the other end was frantic; it was someone who identified himself as Naked Wire. He reported that there was gridlock at Ibeto Junction, and that men from the Udogachi security outfit were at the Junction extorting commuters.

Then, without provocation, one of them opened fire — a woman, Chiamaka Okonkwo, married, from Okpuneze Uruagu Nnewi, was hit and died on the spot.

She was rushed to the nearby Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, but it was too late. One of the Udogachi operatives was reportedly detained at the scene by the eyewitness. I couldn’t immediately leave my location, so I sent his number to a few security commanders to verify and take swift action.

The killing of this woman, a daughter of Okpuneze, Uruagu Nnewi; is one death too many. It speaks volumes about the lack of psychological screening and discipline in the recruitment and deployment of armed security men in Anambra State.

We cannot allow this to go unpunished. The specific unit and the individual who pulled the trigger must be named, shamed, prosecuted, and held fully accountable.

Let us not forget: just last Sunday, in an attempt to arrest Prince Nonso Obi at the close of the Uruagu Community Meeting held at the Obi Uruagu Palace, two other innocent men: Mr. Ejike Okafor and Mr. Abuchi Onwujiuba; were shot in the leg and stomach respectively. They are still battling for their lives in the hospital.

This is no longer acceptable.

Icall on the Honourable Member Representing Nnewi North Constituency, Hon. Sir Augustine Onyekachukwu Ike (Ikedoji), and the Mayor of Nnewi North, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, to immediately review the current state of security formations in Nnewi North.

We must profile the psychological and mental fitness of every person authorized to carry arms in our communities wherever they are coming from and reject those we find unfit. We must end this creeping culture of fear, lawlessness, and intimidation by security personnel.

Ndị Nnewi abhor bloodshed; we will not stand by while our mothers, fathers, and youths are gunned down in cold blood. Let me remind every public office holder that the primary duty of government is the protection of lives and property.

We must never again allow what happened to Mrs Chiamaka Okonkwo, Mr Ejike Okafor and Mr Abuchi Onwujiuba to happen to anyone else. Yesterday she was sent to her maker unprepared, undeserving, and unnecessarily. That is not the Nnewi we are building.

To every youth, elder, and citizen of Nnewi: stay vigilant. Guard our humanity. Speak truth to power. Demand justice.

We say NO to police intimidation. We say NEVER AGAIN to unjust killings by security agents.

Choose Nnewi First.

Think Nnewi First.

Stand for Nnewi First.  

Defend Nnewi First.