A traditional ruler in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State and four others have been quizzed by police over alleged illegal possession of arms and ammunition. Police sources stated at the Nsukka Police Area Command that the suspects were arrested for using the illegally-acquired arms to terrorise and brutalise some people in the area.
However, the traditional ruler was said to have been quizzed for allegedly supplying the suspects with the pump action and double-barrelled guns with which they carried out the illegalities. Those said to have been tortured included a pregnant woman, Mrs Ngozi Eze, nee Ugwu, who was beaten comatose; Thaddeus Ossai, Ekene Ugwu and Romanus Ossai, among others.
The monarch (names withheld) was said to have on one occasion told the police at the Area Command that the guns were provided by officials of the Igbo Eze North Local Government and then reportedly contradicted himself, saying that the individuals had their own guns which were licensed. A highly-placed police officer, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the story in Nsukka, but efforts to get comments from the Chairman of Igboeze North Local Government, Mr. Uwakwe Ezeja, over the matter proved abortive. Ezeja did not reply to text messages or pick calls put across to him on the alleged involvement of the local government in the arms supply.
Vanguard
