Alor Crisis: Maintain Peace, Status Quo, Force CID Headquarters Warns Alor PG

Alor Crisis: Maintain Peace, Status Quo, Force CID Headquarters Warns Alor PG

A crucial meeting was held on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024, at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja, involving key figures from Alor town in respect to the decade long Alor Crisis.

According to a source familiar with the proceedings, the meeting included HRM Igwe Mac-Antony Chinedu Elibe Okonkwo (Ezedioramma III of Alor) and his entourage, along with Chief Emmanuel Ojukwu, the President-General of the Alor Peoples Convention, and his associate, Chief Uzoma Igbonwa (Okeife Alor).

The meeting was convened following a petition by Igwe Okonkwo alleging threats to his life, disrespect towards his position as the recognized traditional ruler of Alor, and activities that could potentially disrupt peace in the community.

The source reports that Chief Emmanuel Ojukwu and Chief Uzoma Igbonwa arrived at the Force CID Headquarters around 8:30 AM, where they were received by the investigating police officer.

Shortly after, Igwe Okonkwo and his entourage arrived in a convoy and were directed to the meeting.

Both parties were brought before a senior police official, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), who warmly welcomed the gathering.

“You are all respectable men, many of whom are titled chiefs and elders, including the revered traditional ruler,” the ACP reportedly stated, showing his respect for the group.

Igwe Okonkwo was invited to present his case, reiterating the issues outlined in his petition.

He accused Chief Ojukwu of holding town meetings without his knowledge and leading a parallel security force, actions that he claimed threatened the town’s peace and further escalate the now well known Alor Crisis.

Despite these disputes, the Igwe pointed out that he had personally endorsed Ojukwu for the role of President-General during a prior harmonization process.

In response, Chief Ojukwu deferred to his associate, Chief Uzoma Igbonwa, who presented a 2022 court ruling that purportedly dethroned the Igwe.

However, the ACP reportedly questioned whether the state government had officially withdrawn the Igwe’s certificate of recognition following the judgment, to which Chief Igbonwa could not provide confirmation.

At this point, the meeting was taken over by the Commissioner of Police, who expressed concern over Ojukwu’s failure to respond to previous police invitations.

The Commissioner is said to have reprimanded Ojukwu, emphasizing that such actions were unacceptable and that disregard for the rule of law was a major factor contributing to community crises like that in Alor.

According to the source, the Commissioner postponed the meeting to the following day due to building closure regulations, with both parties returning for further discussion on August 21st.

During the second day of proceedings, Igwe Okonkwo reiterated his claims of insubordination by Chief Ojukwu.

In defense, Ojukwu claimed his actions were legally justified, citing the court’s ruling.

However, the Commissioner clarified that since the Igwe had appealed the ruling and requested a stay of execution, the parties were required to maintain the status quo until a final decision was made by the court of appeal.

Chief Igbonwa, reportedly agitated by this, engaged in a heated exchange with the ACP, nearly resulting in his detention before he quickly apologized.

The Commissioner subsequently ordered both Chief Ojukwu and Chief Igbonwa to write undertakings to maintain peace and respect the existing order in Alor, as they were identified as the primary instigators of Alor crisis.

Igwe Okonkwo was also asked to submit a similar undertaking. The police assured Igwe Okonkwo that they would uphold these agreements to ensure peace and order in the community.

Rev. Innocent Chukwudi Peace-Udochukwu, a member of the Alor Peace and Reconciliation Committee, commended the officers at the Force CID Headquarters for their professionalism and commitment to equity and justice.

He noted that the officers’ adherence to the rule of law was exemplary, helping to guide the resolution process fairly and impartially.

“Their actions reflect the highest standards of law enforcement,” he remarked, further stressing that peace and respect for the law must continue to prevail in Alor to prevent further conflicts that have plagued the town for over a decade as that will bring to an end to the unending Alor Crisis.

On his part, the Igwe of Alor, Chief Mac-Anthony Elibe Okonkwo, expressed gratitude to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for his timely intervention in the age-long Alor crisis.

He also thanked the Force CID Headquarters for their forthrightness and integrity in handling the situation.

Igwe Okonkwo emphasized that the undertakings signed by the President-General, Chief Emmanuel Ojukwu, and his associate, Chief Uzoma Igbonwa, imply that moving forward, no one is permitted to call a meeting of the Alor Peoples’ Convention without his knowledge.

Additionally, no vigilante or security group should operate in Alor without his approval, as he is both the Igwe and the chief security officer of the town.

This arrangement is to remain in effect pending the determination of the case in the Court of Appeal and, if necessary, the Supreme Court.