By Ovat Abeng
The traditional ruler of Awba-Ofemili in Awka North LGA of Anambra State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Ezekwesili Ernest Maduagwuna (Ofemili 1 of Awba-Ofemili), has raised alarm, alleging that suspected hoodlums have practically taken over their farmland, resulting in killings and massive destruction of farm produce including yam and rice.
The Monarch raised the alarm while speaking at a strategic security stakeholders’ interactive meeting for Anambra Central Senatorial District organized by the Anambra State Police Command, held at Dora Akunyili Women Development Center in Awka on Friday, 14th August, 2026.
Maduagwuna lamented that following the forceful occupation of their farmlands by the suspected hoodlums he alleged come from neighboring Ezeagu town in Enugu State as a result of boundary disputes, Awba-Ofemili people can no longer gain easy access to their farmland especially during farming season.
He said investigation showed that the suspected hoodlums are operating from the boundary forest.
“As a result of the persistent attacks, my people who are predominantly farmers have abandoned their farms over fear of being kidnapped, raped, tortured or killed.
The community called on the federal, state and local governments to urgently come to their aid in order to avert total breakdown of law and order as the armed herdsmen have been terrorising the local people without restraint.
The royal father called on the Anambra and Enugu State governments, the Nigeria Police and other concern authorities to intervene urgently to save lives and his people’s means of livelihood..
“A state of emergency should be urgently declared in Awba-Ofemili and other towns in Awka North LGA following the terror that is currently ongoing in the area.
“They are attacking us to take over our land and as speak, the destruction is ongoing.
“I am passionately appealing to the Anambra and Enugu State governments to look into the matter and do the needful by One, establishing the boundary, secondly, to make sure that there’s a strong collaboration between the Anambra and Enugu Police Commands to curtailed the unrest.
“The people of Awba-Ofemili have been calling for dialogue but our brothers and sisters from Enugu State don’t want to agree. They don’t want the boundary to be shared, When the Anambra deputy governor, his Enugu counterpart and the National Boundary Commission agreed on amicable resolution, yet the people refused to agreed.
“As part of this and other security challenges in the area, I have gotten an approval from the Police Authority at the Force Headquarters Abuja to establish a Police station in my Awba-Ofemili community to curb the challenges because there is no police presence in our area.
“My area is a den of forest, so we need full presence of Police officers. Even at Achalla, the headquarters of Awka North LGA has no functional police patrol vehicles.
“We are pleading with the Anambra State Government ably led by Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo to continue to assist Udo-Ga-Chi, our local Vigilante outfit to enable them function effectively, the Monarch added.
He commended the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama for organizing the event.
In his remark, CP Ama reiterated that effective policing requires the collective support and partnership of the people, assuring residents that the Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, preventing crime, and maintaining peace and public order across the State.
The Commissioner noted that the security stakeholders meeting in the Senatorial District is continuous and encouraged residents to actively participate in the engagement and contribute meaningfully towards building a safer and more secure Anambra State.
The meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to identify emerging security challenges, share actionable intelligence, strengthen inter-agency and community collaboration, and develop practical strategies for enhancing public safety across Anambra the Senatorial District.
