BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA – FOLLOWING the clash that led to the death of an 83–year old man,  in the sleepy town of Obosi in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State, soldiers and fierce-looking policemen have taken over most of the strategic places in the town.

When Vanguard visited the town, Tuesday, policemen were seen guarding the homes of prominent people in the town, including those of the president general of Obosi Town Union, Mr. James Ifekandu, former secretary–general of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Osita Chidoka, as well as other prominent people in the area.

Following threats to the lives and property of the people by members of the banned Adike Peace Foundation, APF, most of the people in the town have taken refuge at the Obosi Town Hall where there has been heavy police presence since the incident began.

Vanguard recalls that following the activities of APF, the state government banned the organization sometime last year. However, the group resurfaced two days ago during the inauguration of a committee put in place by the leadership of the Obosi to oversee the land and other property in the area.

The president general who spoke to Vanguard said: “We were on the high table and the inauguration of the committee was underway when the leader of APF, Mr. Omezie Chukwurah came in and made a phone call. Shortly after, members of his group arrived and invaded the area and started shooting. In the process, an 83 year old man, Nnamdi Orakwue was shot dead. Several people, including my humble self, sustained injuries. They destroyed the tables which were being used for the ceremony and chased everybody away.”

According to him, him, the problem began when the traditional ruler of the town empowered the group and the members later became intoxicated with power, adding that over the years, the group compromised prominent people in Obosi who turned deaf ear over their nefarious activities.

He said further that the group has been targeting all the people who signed the document for the inauguration of a committee to manage the affairs of Obosi people, adding that some of those targeted have fled the town