The quiet agrarian life of Mburumbu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has been shattered by a protracted and violent chieftaincy dispute, with residents now alleging brutal torture at the hands of police officers from the Special Weapons and Tactical Squad (SWAT).
A PhD Student's Bail Mission Turns Into a Nightmare
Eze Cletus Elijah, a 38-year-old Chief Security Officer with an oil firm in Port Harcourt, returned to his hometown in late October 2025 to prepare for his PhD examinations at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. His visit took a horrific turn when he attempted to help secure bail for a villager arrested in connection with the community's Igweship tussle.
Instead of finding justice, Eze claims he was detained, chained, suspended, and brutally tortured at the Agbani Police Station. He alleges that officers demanded he falsely implicate the Enugu State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, as the sponsor of hoodlums in the community. "It was like walking into death," Eze recounted, his voice trembling as he spoke outside the Enugu State High Court on Monday, November 24, 2025.
He described a medieval-style torture setup where he was handcuffed, his legs were chained, and ropes were used to suspend him from an iron rod for about five hours while he was beaten. "They said they could shoot me and dispose of my body. I fainted three times," he stated, adding that the objective was to force a narrative fitting a political agenda.
Roots of the Crisis and Court Defiance
The chieftaincy crisis stems from Mburumbu's 2003 constitution, which clearly outlines a rotational system for the throne and bars certain families, including the Igwe's own children, from contesting. The controversy centers on Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, who allegedly declared himself Igwe-elect despite legal hurdles.
In January 2025, the Enugu State High Court in Amagunze (Suit No. HAMA/1/2024) disqualified Onuokaibe from contesting. A subsequent ruling in October 2025 (Suit HAMA/24/2025) restrained him from holding a new yam festival or parading himself as Igwe-elect. Community members allege that Onuokaibe defied these orders, proceeding with the festival and then using the police to arrest protesting youths.
Another victim, 68-year-old Aniobi Ambrose, narrated how he was "abducted" on November 1, 2025, by armed men allegedly loyal to Onuokaibe and handed over to SWAT operatives. He reported seeing detained community members tortured and denied food and water. "People are afraid to sleep at home," Ambrose lamented, alleging that about 70 community members had been summoned by the police.
Court Intervention and Calls for Governor's Action
Following a suit by the victims' counsel, Ike Ozor, Justice C. O. Ajah of the Enugu State High Court issued a restraining order on November 24, 2025. The order stops the police, SWAT Commander CSP Anosike Nduwuisi, and IPO Emmanuel Uchenna Ogazi from further arrests, harassment, or intimidation of the suspects.
Despite the court order, Eze Cletus Elijah expressed deep fear that the matter is far from over. He called on Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, to intervene directly. "Some people are blocking the truth from getting to him. If he knew what SWAT is doing, what they did to us, he would act," Eze asserted, describing the crisis as a grave threat to the lives of innocent citizens.
Police Silence and Onuokaibe's Defense
The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, repeatedly promised to respond to the serious allegations of torture but had not done so at the time of the report.
In his defense, Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe confirmed authoring the petition to the Commissioner of Police that led to the arrest of 10 youths. His petition, dated November 3, 2025, and written by his counsel P.O. Okonkwo, accused the suspects of "malicious damage, threat to life and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace." He claimed they attacked him and others with guns and machetes during a community briefing.
Onuokaibe stated that he later bailed the suspects, fed them during detention, bought them new clothes, and gave them transport money upon release as a gesture for peace. He expressed dismay that they subsequently filed a court action against him, alleging they were being instigated to lie.
The situation in Mburumbu remains tense, with the community's traditional leadership vacuum and alleged abuse of state power creating an atmosphere of fear and injustice, awaiting decisive government intervention.
