The Enugu State Government has announced its decision to constitute a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to find out the causes of the recent civil disturbances that occurred in Ogbozinne Akpugo Autonomous community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state, which led to the death of the traditional ruler, Igwe Stephen Nwatu, and destruction of property.
In a statement by the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Emeka Okeke, the state government expressed grave concern over the ugly and unfortunate incident, declaring that it “will not fold its arms and watch lives and property of its citizens being destroyed with brazen impunity.â€
Okeke stated that the panel of inquiry would also ensure that the culprits are brought to book as well as “prevent a reoccurrence of this ugly incident.â€
According to him, “Government assures the state that further measures will be put in place to avoid a repeat of this sad incident in the said community or any other community in Enugu State as this is not in accordance with the peace and secure environment which this government has been working for assiduously.â€
It would be recalled that the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had during his recent unanimous endorsement for re-election in 2019 by all the traditional rulers of the 450 autonomous communities in the state, observed a minute silence in honour of the slain traditional ruler.
The governor, who regretted the Igwe’s untimely death, disclosed that his administration would set up the panel to unravel the circumstances surrounding his demise to ensure that the culprits were brought to justice, and make recommendations that would deter future occurrence of such dastardly act.Â
