The Ozalla Community in Enugu State has taken to the streets of the state capital to protest the assassination of one of their sons and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Dons Udeh, as well as the continued disappearance of their traditional ruler, Igwe Donald Nwochi, and other residents of the community over the past two years without any trace. The community, which is located in Nkanu West local government area, is demanding that the state government and security agencies take action to bring those responsible to justice.
The traditional ruler of Ozalla community, Igwe Donald Nwochi, was kidnapped in his hotel on December 24, 2021, and despite the payment of a ransom of N5 million by his family, he has not been seen since. In a similar incident, the body of Chief Dons Udeh, a former Enugu State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he defected to APGA to pursue his political ambition to become the governor of Enugu State, was found at 9th Mile Bypass in Udi Local Government Area on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, with reports indicating that he had been assassinated.
Residents of Ozalla community, who took to the streets of Enugu State capital wearing black attire and carrying placards with various inscriptions, demanded that the government take action to save them from abductors and killers. Some of the placards read, “Stop kidnapping and killings of Ozallans. Enough is enough!”, “Ozalla bleeds! #Justice for Dons”, “Our government can save us please help!”, and “Save Ozallans from abductors and killers.”
The President General of Ozalla Development Union, Chief Charles Nwagbara, who addressed journalists at Okpara square, said that the abduction and killing of Dons Udeh was a tragedy for the community. He explained that the community received news of his sudden disappearance on Saturday, April 22, 2023, and had hoped and prayed for his safe return. However, on Tuesday, April 25, they received news of his death with his body already decomposing miles away from his residence.
Nwagbara appealed to the government of Enugu State to conduct a thorough investigation into the abduction and assassination of Dons Udeh and bring the perpetrators to justice. The protesters marched to Government House and the State Police headquarters, where they delivered protest letters to the governor and the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani.