by Tony Icheku


The killing by gunshot on Thursday, December 2, 2021 of Mr Kingsley Chinonyerem Chinyere in broad daylight at Umudike in Ikwuano LGA of Abia state could have been prevented if those entrusted with maintaining law and order in our society were vigilant and sincere.

Kingsley Chinyere was cut down in a rain of bullets as the transporters unions: National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, and National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW battle for control of University Park located by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU

Perhaps the young man who recently got married would still be alive today if the Executive Chairman，Ikwuano LGA, Mr Steve Mpamaugo realises his duty as chief security officer of the LGA and if the Oboro Traditional Rulers Council also realises their role to play similar roles in their respective domains.

But alas, both of them, either compromised or simply being negligent,  refused to honour invitation on November 9, 2021from the Office of Anti-Kidnapping, Zone 9 of the Nigeria Police which was investigating the matter under the sub-head: 'Conspiracy, Cultism, Unlawful Possession of Firearms and Threatening Violence'

Both NARTO and NURTW  are tussling for the control of the Park or better still for the control of revenue accruing  therefrom.

While NURTW, Oboro/Ibere branch led by Elendu 'Pablo' Ejikeme claims the Park is a unit under the branch; NARTO led by Ejikeme Ekpechi contends the Park is a branch belonging to NARTO. 

From these two positions, neither side is shifting grounds for a middle ground settlement despite several mediations from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, Zone 9 of the Nigeria Police.

The tussle has split into two camps the 8-member Oboro Traditional Rulers Council with its Chairman, HRH Eze Larry Agwu throwing his weight behind NURTW/Pablo.

Eze Larry Agwu told Dailyledger com.ng that he suppors NURTW/Pablo because from information he gathered the Park belongs to them. He added that despite his position he has urged both sides to embrace peace and seek amicable settlement as they are all brothers.

Eze Agwu of Ajata n Igu waved aside accusations that he refused to sign a communique reached by Oboro Ezes on the Park.."No, no that is not the case at all. First, there were unresolved issues over the wording of the communique that failed to capture the matter on ground; Second, my Eze brothers, plus the Executive Chairman, Ikwuano LGA all refused to honour an invitation from the AIG, Zone 9 of the Nigeria Police. That invitation was an opportunity for all of us, the LGA Chairman and We, the Oboro Ezes to speak with one voice, tell the Police what we want in our community and seek their support in enforcement, but when they refused to honour the Police invitation, I decided to watch and see what happens"

In his reaction, Eze Ben Oriaku of Umudike- Ukwu community said the decision of Oboro Ezes asking NURTW/Pablo to vacate the Park is because from what they heard on radio, NURTW has been proscribed by the Executive Chairman of Ikwuano LGA and has not been reinstated till date.

Eze Oriaku further added that NURTW has also been associated with hooliganism and destructive activities which even the University security and Claire More Enterprises has observed, reported and condemned.

The royal father further lamented that even his palace was invaded on Dec 2, 2021  by alleged cult members sent by NURTW. "All we are seeking for is peace and order in our community", he averred.

Sources informed dailyLedger.com.ng that the Executive Chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Mr Mpamaugo reportedly met with NURTW/Pablo and NARTO/Ejikeme at Apricot Hotel，Umuahia in September, 2021 and attempted unsuccessfully to broker peace. Ironically, both sides insinuate that the Executive Chairman has refused to call a spade a spade on the matter and failed take a firm position.

Efforts were made to reach the Chairman via sms for him to react to allegations that he has been mentioned as taking sides in the matter.

He made returned with a phone call shouting and scolding the reporter over the sms and finally banged the phone.

Several petitions and complaints are lying at the AIG' desk, Zone 9 of the Nigeria Police, Umuahia. One of such petitions, dated November 1, 2021 is from Claire-More Enterprises which in 2017 entered into an MOU with MOUAU on Build, Operate and Transfer， BOT arrangement.

Claire-More in 2029 concessioned the Park to NURTW/Pablo, and now claims it has terminated same on October, 2021.

Pablo however told dailyledger.com.ng that Claire-More lacks the locus to terminate the MOU with NURTW.

"First, the existence of an NURTW Motor Park predates MOUAU; Second, the MOU we  had was between MOUAU, Claire-More and NURTW, so Claire-More cannot unilaterally terminate it.

Claire-Morr in its petition to the Police titled: 'Forcible Entry, Violent Seizure of Facility, Assault and Threats to Kill or Maim' stated that NURTW resorting to self-help in order to take over the Park "...staged a violent come back with the help of armed thugs ....and took over the facility threatening to kill or maim" anyone who dares to stop them.

In his reaction to allegations that he did not follow due process in seeking to take over the Park NARTO/Ejikeme argued that being an experienced NURTW, he explored due process to upgrade the Park from a unit to a branch status and he was made the branch Chairman. He alleged that the double game being played by State Chairman of NURTW forced him and his members to defect to NARTO

The argument goes back and forth, with each side unwilling to yield ground on any avenue for settlement.

However, uneasy peace holds now as the Police tries to unravel the question: 

"Who shot and killed Kingsley Chinonyerem Chinyere, aka Iron?