How Akpakume, Udi community, succumbed to internal strife over community leadership

Presently, the Akpakume community, of Ugwuniyi clan, in Udi local government area of Enugu State is deserted.

Most residents of the community fled, particularly after some policemen were allegedly ambushed in the community.'

The police has conducted raid in the community and apprehended about 13 persons who the law enforcement agency took into its custody.

However, beneath the facade of what was alleged as terrorist attack on the community, lies community leadership squabble that has eroded peace in the Udi north community.

Akpakume/Nze community leaders say that the unrest began after dispute arose between the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe Ekwueme Nwokolo Odenigbo, and a former traditional prime minister (Onowu) of the community, Mr. Livinus Okoro, popularly known as Zion. 

There is a present Onowu, Chief Ezeanyanwu Marius, who said that his predecessor's eight-year tenure expired in 2024, having assumed the position in 2016 when the Igwe was crowned.

According to Ezeanyanwu, “The tenure of our Onowu is eight years. He became Onowu in 2016 when the Igwe was crowned. So his tenure expired in 2024. Another Onowu, being myself, was elected in November 2024. But on 31st December, the former Onowu went and took the staff of office and the certificate of recognition of the Igwe. He brought thugs to take them. There was no letter from government saying the Igwe has been dethroned or demoted.”

He alleged that the former Onowu openly boasted about removing the monarch. “He told our Igwe that he made him Igwe and he will take it from him,” he said, adding that the development forced the community to write a petition to the Inspector General of Police.

The crisis escalated after Mr Okoro accused the Igwe of selling about 96 plots of communal land, claiming the area had coal and oil. But the community members said that no resident has ever seen the disputed land.

Matters became violent in August 2025 when armed men said to be hired security operatives arrived in the community. 

Ezeanyanwu further narrated that, “On 13 August, he (Okoro) brought Aguleri Security to our community. He quartered them at Ama Afor civic centre which he built for the community. I reported this to the police. The DPO saw about five of them together with two members of our neighbourhood watch.”

He said gunshots began later that night. “Our youths mobilised and apprehended them. They were handed over to the police. One of them confessed that it was Uche Ugwu, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, who sent them. He said Livinus told him that Fulani herdsmen had taken over our community, but when they arrived, they were asked to attack and kill community youths instead.”

He alleged that the community has suffered arrests, detention and intimidation since the crisis began. “We have all gone to prison because of this matter. I have gone to prison. The Igwe has gone to prison. His son has gone to prison. Our community lawyer has gone to prison. Former youth vice chairman has also gone to prison. All these people have been imprisoned because of only this one man. We want peace in our community.”

The most recent clash reportedly started when armed men suspected to be macheneries from Aguleri and Umuleri invaded the community at night and headed for the palace secretary of the Igwe. “The youths said no, that the young man is not a criminal. When they started shooting, our people were confused,” he said.

According to the Onowu, Police personnel later stormed the community in large numbers. “About fifteen Hilux vans fully loaded with armed policemen invaded our community. They started shooting sporadically. Some of our people received gunshot wounds. About two are feared dead. We know there are more but no one knows where their corpses are because we are still on the run. One of the corpses, Chimuanya Obodo, in the house is still unburied and there is no vehicle to convey it to the mortuary. We know a lot more people may have died in the bushes.”

The traditional ruler, Igwe Ekwueme Nwokolo, said he has refused to flee the deserted community. 

“No one is here in this community. But I told God that I will never leave my community. I had built this house before I became Igwe, so I am waiting for the will of God to be done. Udi Local Government Chairman was here. I am still waiting for government to intervene. Akpakume is now like where there was a civil war. We want government to come to our rescue. We want peace. No one will build a house and bring bulldozer to bring it down. I have been asking for peace all along.”

Following the recent shootings, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, on Tuesday visited the community for an on-the-spot assessment with senior officers of the Command. 

Police authorities confirmed that the attackers had engaged operatives and also destroyed property in the area. 

“It was observed that the hoodlums had wilfully destroyed houses, shops, and other properties, including crops and livestock belonging to members of the community,” Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said on behalf of the Commissioner.

He explained that preliminary investigations indicate that the crisis is linked to the prolonged leadership dispute within the community. He urged residents not to panic, assuring them that the police are fully committed to restoring normalcy.

Community members, however insist that what they want now is peace. 

“This man insists he will be in charge of everything in this village,” Chief Marius said. “He doesn’t allow us have Onowu. He said we will not have a PG. He said our Igwe will not function. He insists that everyone will be under him because he has worked with a former governor and because he has made money. That is the problem. We want peace.”

Many villagers have reportedly fled into bushes and neighbouring communities. Others say they remain afraid to return to their homes. Some corpses are yet to be evacuated, while many more may have died during the clashes.