Crisis hits Anambra community as youths clash, disrupt empowerment programme

Crisis has hit Nimo, a community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, following a clash that broke out among youth groups during an empowerment programme.

Newspot reports that the clash occurred on Sunday.

Youths of the community, under the aegis of Nimo Town Development Union, Youth Wing,
had gathered at the village square for the programme, when members of a parallel body invaded the arena and carted away canopies, chairs and other items to be used for the event.

The youth wing however proceeded with the empowerment exercise and eight youths, two from each of the four quarters of Nimo, were empowered with N250,000, each, to start businesses.

The beneficiaries were identified as Ugo Ngukor and Doms Ezeoke from Etiti-Nimo, Akunna Kingsley Chidi and Melody Fredrick Chukwuma from Ifite-enu, Uchenna Anyadiegwu and Ikejide John Paul from Egbengwu and Uchenna Edochie Fabian Ogbuabana from Ifiteani.

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The Nimo community youth wing also launched a skill acquisition centre where youths would acquire skills such as barbing and shoe making, among others.

The programme however ended abruptly when the rival group stormed the event and unleashed violence on all in the arena.

Newspot gathered that the rival group was protesting the alleged sale of a communal land by the leadership of the community.

“The leadership of the community, including the traditional ruler and the president general of the town union, has tried all they can to pacify them, including inviting them for peace talks, but they have continued to make the town ungovernable,” a source said.

President General of Nimo Town Development Union, Youth Wing, Mr Gold Obiefuna who spoke on the attack said, “We don’t want to be lawless youths. We don’t want to fight dissidents. What they are doing is not what Nimo people are known for.

“We don’t want to confront them because if we do, there would be a total breakdown of law and order, and probably, someone would have died. We do not want to be like them.

“Nimo is a peaceful town. We have just one Nimo, one youth body and one Owelle (monarch). The same programme they are disrupting is one that is meant to empower their fellow youths.”