My name is Comr. Amos Oge Kalu,. For those who have reached out to understand the true situation surrounding the crisis in my village, Okon-Aku, Ohafia, it must be stated clearly that the matter is as complex as it appears simple. At the heart of the problem lies the persistent inability of critical stakeholders to find common ground and reconcile their differences.

I have maintained silence for some time, largely out of respect for Hon. Akuma, who was not just a close friend but a brother from my maternal lineage of Umu Ezie. His encouragement and support in my professional journey were immeasurable. Losing such a person leaves no room for bias, theatrics, or needless drama. His death is a profound loss to Okon-Aku as a community and to humanity at large.

It is deeply unfortunate that human beings sometimes act without reflection. I remain convinced that his death was needless, and the events that followed can only be described as reckless and senseless. One troubling question continues to echo in my mind: Do the outcomes justify the actions taken?

As a media practitioner, I am duty-bound to seek facts and provide clarity, particularly to colleagues and members of the public seeking the truth. My position is straightforward and anchored on principle:

First, sentiment must be set aside. Government should be allowed to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation with the aim of bringing all perpetrators to justice. Only then can true justice be served and the soul of the departed rest in peace.

Second, the investigation must go beyond the immediate incident to uncover both the remote and immediate causes of the recurring crisis in Okon-Aku and decisively address them. It is alarming to see a community so deeply fragmented by leadership controversies, where virtually every position is disputed. This destructive trend must end if Okon-Aku is to make meaningful progress.

Third, the dangerous habit of pointing accusing fingers at everyone and no one in particular is deceptive and must stop. True resolution will only come when the real architects of these criminal acts are identified and held accountable.

It is a national shame that following the loss of a life, the next course of action was an attempt to burn the Paramount Ruler alive along with his entire family. This raises a disturbing question: was the violence truly about the slain youth, whose killer had yet to be identified, or was it the execution of a long-hatched plan to eliminate the traditional ruler? That singular act defies reason and humanity. Setting a man ablaze in his home and allegedly guarding the premises to ensure no escape is an act that calls into question our collective conscience.

Justice, to me, is holistic and must respect no person or office. I firmly believe in justice without compromise. Therefore, I call for justice not only for the slain youth but also for the King and the traditional leader whose home was destroyed. Justice must equally be extended to the DJ who lost his equipment and to other residents whose properties were damaged in the violence.

I also use this medium to appeal to our people to halt the ongoing “Pull Him Down” campaign against the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu. From established constitutional and administrative practice, conflict resolution and inter-communal boundary matters fall squarely within the responsibilities of a Deputy Governor. Furthermore, the Deputy Governor is the highest-ranking political office holder from his community.

While I may not know Engr. Emetu personally, my position is based strictly on the responsibilities of his office. It was lawful for him to oversee the process that led to the selection of the two traditional rulers. Those aggrieved rightly sought redress in court, which is also lawful. However, resorting to self-help while a matter is pending before a court of law is the height of illegality. Such actions amount to confronting the very government that issued the certificates and staffs of office—an issue that demands sober reflection.

Moral integrity requires that wrong actions be condemned unequivocally. The leadership crisis in Okon-Aku predates the administration of Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR. However, through the instrumentality of government, two individuals were selected to rule. That decision should not be weaponized to justify violence.

According to the account of His Royal Highness, Eze Engr. Ndukwe Iko (Nnaka IV):
“By the time I called the Army Barracks, my phone battery was already at five percent because there was no power supply the previous night. I told the officer that this might be my last call before my family and I are roasted alive.”

By the time soldiers arrived, the monarch was already severely weakened. Had the Deputy Governor failed to respond promptly at that critical moment, the loss to Okon-Aku could have been far greater. For this reason, Engr. Emetu deserves commendation, not vilification or blackmail.

Ultimately, Okon-Aku stands at a crossroads. Only truth, justice, restraint, and responsible leadership can heal the wounds and restore peace to the community.

Comr. Amos Oge Kalu (Fairymonk) writes from Abuja.
E-mail: amoskalu44@gmail.com