Tension escalated in Rumuodomaya Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Wednesday as indigenes of the community stormed the council secretariat and police station, demanding immediate action against Mr Stephen Nlemachi.
The protesters, made up of women and youths clad in black attire, were led by community chiefs and elders. Brandishing placards, they marched to Nlemachi’s residence, accusing him of parading himself as the community’s traditional ruler while allegedly masterminding land grabbing at the Omachi Estate.
The Community Development Committee Chairman, Chief Ariziruoke Eberendu, said residents could no longer tolerate Nlemachi’s alleged atrocities.
“Nlemachi has been claiming he is the Royal Highness of Rumuodomaya. They have been raping people,” Eberendu said.
He cited a disturbing case involving a young boy who was allegedly sodomised, stating that the victim was hospitalised with bleeding from his anus.
The protesters claimed Nlemachi, who they say hails from Awara in Imo State, has been issuing death threats against community members and considers himself above the law.
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Vice Chairman of the Rumuodomaya Community Chiefs and Elders Council, Chief Emmanuel Mbata, and the Chairman of Adepe-Nu-Zubia Youth Forum, Comrade Frank Worlu, joined in the demand for urgent government and police intervention to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
A resident of Omachi Estate, Mrs Gift Effiong, recounted how her 16-year-old son was allegedly sodomised by a relative of the accused.
She said she had already reported the matter at the Rumuodomaya Divisional Police Headquarters and appealed for justice to safeguard other children.
The demonstrators alleged they were shot at by Nlemachi and his cohorts during the protest, claiming the incident occurred in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer.
At the Obio/Akpor Council Secretariat, the protesters were received by Environmental Sanitation Committee Chairman, Mr Chijioke Akaniwo, who assured them that Council Chairman, Dr Gift Worlu, would address their complaints promptly.
At the Rumuodomaya Police Station, Divisional Police Officer CSP Chukwuma Emmanuel, urged the protesters to remain calm, assuring them that their grievances would be thoroughly investigated and those found culpable brought to justice without any resort to violence.
