The traditional ruler of Nawfia community in Anambra State has made a startling spiritual connection to explain the recent wave of violence plaguing his domain. Igwe Nwankwo Osuofia II has publicly stated that the brutal killing of approximately 20 indigenes over the past two years is linked to the non-appeasement of the spirit of his predecessor and father, the late Igwe Francis Nwankwo (Osuofia I).
A Legacy of Violence and a Spiritual Diagnosis
Speaking from his palace in the wake of the latest attack, the monarch expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He presented a perspective rooted in tradition, asserting that the soul of his late father, who was assassinated on February 15, 2000, remains troubled. According to Igwe Osuofia II, this spiritual unrest is the primary catalyst behind the horrific spate of murders that has thrown Nawfia into mourning.
The late Igwe Francis Nwankwo, also known as FFBC Nwankwo and celebrated as Africa's Tallest Man, was a prominent socio-business figure in Igboland and a key member of the exclusive Peoples Club of Nigeria. His son, Chijioke Nwankwo, succeeded him 25 years ago as the community's traditional ruler, taking the title Igwe Nwankwo Osuofia II.
A Grisly Catalogue of Attacks
The violence cited by the monarch is both recent and shockingly brutal. The community has witnessed a series of attacks by unknown assailants, resulting in the deaths of about 20 people. Key incidents include:
- The murder of five indigenes on October 8, 2024.
- A particularly gruesome attack where two victims had their eyes plucked out before their bodies were dumped.
- The hacking to death of a pregnant woman carrying twin babies.
- The killing of five persons during the Enugwu-Ukwu face-off.
- Another person felled at Agukwu-Nri.
- The most recent brutal murder of four persons in Nawfia on December 7, 2025.
A Call for Unity and Rightful Action
In his interview, Igwe Osuofia II emphasized that the Nri people, from whom Nawfia draws its heritage, abhor bloodshed. He urged his subjects to take the right actions to restore peace, stressing that unity is paramount for moving the community forward. The monarch pointed a finger at what he called "enemies of progress and agents of crisis," who he claims have deliberately sown confusion and disputes in the 25 years since his father's death and his own succession.
His expressed intention is to unite the town, address the underlying issues, and ultimately restore stability and honour to his father's memory. The statement presents a unique blend of spiritual belief and a practical appeal for communal reconciliation as the pathway to ending the violence in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Council.
