…Accuses Livinus Okoro of Leading Attack, Carting Away Staff of Office

…Okoro Denies Invading Igwe’s Palace

By Chinedu Adonu

The traditional ruler of Akpakwume autonomous community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, HRH Ekwueme Odenigbo, has sent an urgent plea to the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, over alleged threats to his life and family posed by a group led by Livinus Okoro, also known as “Zion.”

Addressing journalists in Enugu from where he is receiving treatment, the monarch accused Okoro of leading an attack on his palace with over 20 armed men wielding axes, machetes, guns, and sticks on Monday. He alleged that the assailants carted away his staff of office and certificate of oath.

HRH Odenigbo, still recovering from the shock, said Okoro claimed the Enugu State government had dethroned him and instructed his followers to confiscate the monarch’s official symbols of authority. He appealed to Governor Mbah to intervene and protect Akpakwume from the actions of those he described as power-hungry individuals causing division in the community.

The monarch urged Governor Mbah to restore peace and order in Akpakwume and protect the community from what he termed “power mongers determined to create chaos.”

“I thank God you met me alive. If not for His special grace, I might not have been here to narrate this. I also thank Governor Peter Mbah, who has been working to ensure peace in Enugu communities,” the monarch said.

“But 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.”

Recounting the invasion, Igwe Odenigbo said, “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.”

“When I pointed out that only the state government has the authority to retrieve these items, Livinus dismissed me and even tried to strangle my wife. 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.”

The monarch identified some of the attackers as Ogbo Nwachibu, Agabede, Chukwudi, Anekwe, Livi Onyigwu, and others.

The palace secretary condemned the incident, describing it as an abomination. “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 said.

Youth leader Emmanuel Obodugo also decried the attack, warning that those involved 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 vowed.

Igwe Odenigbo’s wife, Lolo Mary Ekwueme, tearfully appealed to the state government to intervene and 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 lamented.

When contacted, Livinus Okoro denied invading the palace of Igwe Odenigbo and carting away the staff of office and certificate, adding that he traveled outside the community on the said day.

“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 said.