A tragic incident unfolded in Umuokoto village, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, where Anthony Nwanna, a tenant of Mr. Aloysius Ekeocha, passed away under disputed circumstances.
Reports initially suggested that Nwanna's death was linked to unpaid rent, implicating the landlord. However, the Umuokoto Community Council (UCC) countered these claims, clarifying that Nwanna did not die in the village or on the landlord's premises.
In a statement, UCC Chairman Chief Emmanuel Ugwuegbulam and Secretary Tochukwu Obiako dismissed the reports as false and designed to stir animosity and misinformation. They alleged that Nwanna was known for violent behavior towards his co-tenants due to his substance abuse problems.
The UCC revealed that Ekeocha, who lives in Lagos State and infrequently visits his property in Umuokoto, confronted Nwanna about overdue rent during a visit in May 2024. Despite signing an agreement to vacate the premises, Nwanna reportedly refused to pay and became confrontational, leading to his belongings being temporarily held by the vigilante.
Ugwuegbulam noted, "After signing an undertaking to quit the building, his properties were immediately released to him," adding that Nwanna even drove his motorcycle home afterward.
While reports alleging mistreatment and detention by the vigilante have surfaced, the UCC has urged the public to disregard them, emphasizing that they are unfounded and meant to incite division.
Calls for a thorough investigation by the Imo Police Command have been made to ascertain the circumstances of Nwanna's death and hold those accountable for any wrongdoing. As of now, the police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, has not responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
