Angry youths in Nimo Community, Njikoka Local Government Area on Saturday 10th May, 2025 took over the streets and villages in the community to mourn and protest the death of Late Ifeanyi Odibelu whose life was cut shot out of incessant arrest.
They accused the traditional ruler, Igwe Maxwell Ike Oliobi, Anayo Mbanugo and Emeka Abada A.K.A Akuamia of masterminding the killing of late Ifeanyi Odibelu.
News Echo who monitored the protest reports that Nimo unrest have continued to soar bad as a result of alleged sales of Owa Land, a communal owned property by the Owelle, Igwe Maxwell Oliobi.
Speaking to our Correspondent, Chijioke Ezedinachi, a protester said Ifeanyi Odibelu was whisked away to an unknown destination on 25th April and was later released on 3rd May, 2025 after eight days and on the following day he died, although no official cause of death has been established.
“Efforts to locate him took two days, and attempts to secure his bail were unsuccessful,” Ezedinachi said. “His release on a Saturday proved abortive, as weekend releases are uncommon.” Ezedinachi said the arrest followed allegations that Odibelu threatened one of the named individuals, but claimed Odibelu’s brother reported prior threats against Odibelu by those individuals.
Contributing, the deceased’s sister, Ukamaka Odibelu, Osita Ezeaputa, and Chidebere Odibo, a friend from Egbengwu village, all claimed Odibelu informed them that Igwe Oliobi, Mbanugo, and Abada had threatened him during detention.
The protesters however marched to Egwegwe Hall, Egbengwu School, and a mortuary, where they retrieved Odibelu’s coffin. They brought it to Igwe Oliobi’s palace, under security surveillance, and then to Abada’s residence.
Meanwhile, the demonstration was disrupted when security personnel reportedly used tear gas and, according to some accounts, live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
Reacting, Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was unaware of the protest and criticized the youths’ actions as disruptive. “They should have reported their concerns to authorities,” Ikenga said. “Nimo is known for its peace.”
Efforts to speak with the community’s youth leader and the traditional ruler, Igwe Oliobi for reactions proved abortive as at time of filing this report.
