The traditional ruler of Akpakwume autonomous community in Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State, HRH Ekwueme Odenigbo, has appealed to Governor Dr. Peter Mbah for protection after allegedly facing threats to his life and family.
The monarch accused Livinus Okoro, also known as “Zion,” of leading an armed attack on his palace with over 20 men on Monday.
Speaking from Enugu, where he is currently receiving treatment, Igwe Odenigbo recounted the attack, stating that the assailants, armed with axes, machetes, guns, and sticks, ransacked his palace and seized his staff of office and certificate of oath.
The monarch explained that Okoro, during the attack, claimed the state government had dethroned him and instructed the men to confiscate his official symbols of authority.
Odenigbo, still in shock from the assault, called on Governor Mbah to intervene and safeguard the Akpakwume community, which he described as being under threat from individuals seeking power and causing division.
“I thank God you met me alive. If not for His special grace, I might not have been here to narrate this,” he said.
“I also thank Governor Peter Mbah, who has been working to ensure peace in Enugu communities.”
The monarch criticized Okoro’s defiance of his leadership, accusing him of creating a parallel faction within the community.
“Livinus Okoro has taken the law into his hands. He has refused to respect my position as Igwe. He created a parallel faction in the community with his own youth leaders and chairman. This latest attack is the peak of his atrocities,” Odenigbo added.
Describing the invasion, Igwe Odenigbo recalled, “On Monday, December 23, 2024, around 10 a.m., while most people were at work and on their farms, a man named Chijioke Pauly visited my house for the purpose of discussing peace. Barely 10 minutes into our conversation, over 20 armed men stormed my home. My wife screamed, fearing they had come to kill us, but I told her to stay calm.”
“Livinus Okoro ordered them to search my house. Despite my protests and demands for a search warrant, they forced their way into my bedroom, ransacked it, and took my staff of office and certificate. Livinus declared that the state government had dethroned me and installed him as the new traditional ruler.”
The monarch further stated that when he pointed out that only the state government had the authority to reclaim the items, Okoro dismissed him and allegedly tried to strangle his wife.
He added, “They dragged me around until community youths intervened. I was later rushed to a hospital in Enugu, where my wife and I have been recovering for days.”
Odenigbo identified several attackers, including Ogbo Nwachibu, Agabede, Chukwudi, Anekwe, Livi Onyigwu, and others. The palace secretary condemned the incident, calling it sacrilegious.
“What Livinus Okoro did to Igwe Odenigbo is sacrilegious. He desecrated the palace and carted away valuables, including two iPhone 15 Pro Max phones, gold, and money donated during a church crusade. Such acts cannot go unpunished,” he stated.
Emmanuel Obodugo, a youth leader, also denounced the attack, vowing that those responsible would face justice.
“This is a disgrace to our community. We know the youths who supported Livinus, and we will not let them go unpunished,” he said.
Lolo Mary Ekwueme, Igwe Odenigbo’s wife, tearfully appealed to the state government for intervention, urging the authorities to provide security for her family and the community. “We are living in fear. Livinus Okoro and his men came armed to the teeth. He tried to strangle me, but God saved me. I have never witnessed such terror,” she said.
When contacted for his side of the story, Livinus Okoro denied any involvement in the attack. “I didn’t attack the palace. I was not around that day; I traveled, and from there, I came to where I am now,” he explained.
