By Jude Michael
Following the worrisome situation of insecurity in Anambra State the Apex Igbo Socio-Cultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Worldwide, Anambra State Chapter, on Saturday, 14th December, held a town hall meeting cum end of the year get-together in Awka, Anambra State Capital.
Speaking during the event the outgoing Chairman of the Anambra State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prince Chukwuemeka Udodeme, decried the situation where wealthy Southeasterners were afraid to return home during the festive period for fear of being kidnapped.
Udodeme said that things previously unknown in Igbo land were now happening among the Igbo.
‘People are kidnapping their brothers and sisters, keeping them in the bush and demanding ransom. Before now, rich men would return home during Christmas and other occasions, spend their money in the communities, and even pick some youths to train in their businesses.
‘But today, the case is different. Today, we marry off our daughters in cities like Abuja and Lagos without the presence of Umuada. Today, we conduct burial ceremonies for our loved ones outside our homes. Ndi Igbo, what is happening in our land? We must come together and battle this monster called kidnapping,’ he said.
Noting that all the criminal elements in the communities were known, he urged people to stop protecting and hiding them.
Udodeme called on traditional rulers and the clergy to take action and stop what he described as an ugly development that was consuming everyone in the Southeast.
Also, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, a House member representing Anaocha Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, blamed the kidnapping in the Southeast on everyone.
He said Ndigbo were responsible for the problem in the zone, noting that they now celebrated wealth without a clear source.
‘Igbo people make money and do not pack money as is being done today. Before now, if you were a rich man, the first question would be, ‘’What is he doing? Where did he make his money from?’’ But today, a child without a source of income will come home with a big car and the parents and society will not ask questions. Instead, they will praise him. Nothing falls from heaven, and money does not fall from the sky; you work hard to make money. We know the bad people among us in our various communities. We know the kidnappers. We know those who enjoy illegal money, but instead of condemning them, we hail them as models,’ he said.
Okechukwu stated that everyone must come together to fight kidnapping activities, noting that Governor Chukwuma Soludo could not stop it alone.
Presentation of awards to deserving individuals formed the highpoint of the occasion.
