By Chukwudi Ebele
Concerned stakeholders in Awka, Anambra state have condemned what they called unwarranted attacks at notable citizens of the area by those opposed to the peace, progress and development of the area.
They frowned seriously at what they noted as mounted attacks and campaign of calumny against the person of Ozo Jeff Ezechukwu Nweke (Ozo Zuluezu) who in clear terms is motivated by jealousy, trepidation and savagery.
The people took their position in a statement jointly signed by the Coordinator and Secretary, Amobi Okeke and Elder Samuel Onwuka, respectively and made available to newsmen in Awka.
The statement reads in part, “Trepidation in the sense that they thought that by now Awka lands ought to have been a national cake where land thieves will come and grab as they wish and because they didn’t have that chance thus the hatred.
“It is time for all Awka citizens to wake up and collectively put a stop to this act of injustice, character assassination and intimidation these small towns around us are perpetrating on one of our own.”
“Now, the detractors are on it again. The haters of Awka have started their nefarious activities once again. Our illustrious son, a major stake holder in Awka town, an Ozo titled-chief, Ozo Jeff Ezechukwu Nweke Jonny was invited home by the Ezinano community in Awka to come and rescue them from the grabbing of lands by the surrending towns.
“He did come back as requested to answer a clarion call by his people, and just like his father, he retrieved all the stolen lands and handed them back to the community.
“Further, he established a security outfit fully registered under the state government for sole purpose of complimenting the efforts of the state government in maintaining peace and order in Awka. And these were his offences.
“An event that took place sometime last year is what the detractors are trying to use against him for no just course. Thus repeating exactly what was done to his father without any form of evidence, just based on hearsay, fabrications and fallacies.
According to the group, “It wasn’t a hidden news when one Mr Benjamin Ezemma (Big Ben) a well known real estate mogul, co-founder of Dubai Estate Awka was kidnapped precisely on the 12 day of November 2024.”
“Heavy sporadic gun shorts were heard on the express around 7.00 pm to 7.00pm tentatively towards the front of MAX B Hotels. Just before long it was heard that it was Big Ben that was kidnapped.
“Information also had it that he was coming from a meeting from MANGO AND LION HOUSE at S.M. Okeke Avenue.”
They maintained that, “what is going on is that some security agents that are being used by this same haters of Awka are trying by all means to enrope Ozo Zuluezu in the matter simply because the young man that was kidnapped was coming from a meeting with him when everyone knows what the security situation was like at the point in time.
“No one is saying that the security agents shouldn’t do their job but let it be done thoroughly especially now scientific security gadgets and cameras are available.
“The people are, therefore, demanding for a clearcut proof from the security agencies of evidence that our own son, Jeff Ezechukwu Nweke is involved in the kidnap saga and not to base on gossips, insinuations, personal vendetta and fallacies of the detractors to conclude a delicate matter such as this.
“Ozo Jeff Ezechukwu Nweke is a man full of positivity, intelligent, articulate, philanthropic and yet a dogged fighter.
“We will not fold our arms and watch an innocent man be roped into what he knows nothing about.”