In the Era of Bullet-Based Politicking: The Brutal Murder of Kpim et al., Worsens the Security Situation in Ugwulangwu.

Ugwulangwu, a blessed and once peaceful community in Ohaozara of Ebonyi State, has been bedevilled by some worrying security situations since the recent era of bullet-based, instead of brain-based politicking. Like the six ecclesiastical cities of refuge, the rocky Hills (Ugwu) and (la) shrubby Shelters (Ngwu) in the Ugwulangwu community have long cleft for its lovers before the arrival of the blood-thirsty political class. The community has recently been losing its growing and full-blooded young men and women, such as Mr Kpim, due to security problems.

Since the administration of His Excellency, Chief Martin Elechi, who did a good job in opening several access routes in Ebonyi, the Ugwulangwu community has become a gateway to several Southern and Western States in Nigeria. The security troubles worsened since His Excellency, Engr Dave Umahi reconstructed the Federal Trunck-A road from Abaomege through Ebonyi Isinkwo to Enugu-Port Harcourt road via Ugwulangwu. Some narrowed the security problems to “foreigners and aliens” who ply the Trunck-A Ugwulangwu road. Others allege that the perpetrators are of Ugwulangwu origin. Either way, travelling to, or through, the Ugwulangwu community has become increasingly challenging. As if it was alienated from the peace and security its neighbours (e.g., Okposi, Ukawu, Ezza, etc.) enjoy, the Ugwulangwu community may soon be recognised by the FCDO as a red travel zone if nothing is done to curtail the menace – Oh, God forbid !

Sacred places of worship and hallowed landmarks are being desecrated by the hoodlums in search of powers and fortification for their evil enterprise. For example, the popular Achi-egwu, which stands as a holy place of traditional worship and of the immeasurable financial value of heritage, is now a centre of the initiation of the gangs on their alleged secret cult activities and initiations. Indigenes of the Ugwulangwu community and truly foreigners now patronise the Achi-egwu deity for fortification and blessings to carry out crimes. Maybe due to their faith in the fortification and what nonsense hope administered to them by the wrong priests of these sacred places of worship, the mixed multitudes of criminals have dared lay their hands to mutilate other places of worship and faith in Ugwulangwu such as Ogba Shrine in Mgbom.

In his tribute, Knowles Shaw (1834-1878) wrote, “Shall the record be, Found wanting, or shall it be, Found trusting! While that hand is writing on the wall?” No, the record that Ugwulangwu Community was a peaceful community is now found wanting if the Ugwulangwu people should decimate themselves by themselves. The killing of innocent and peace-loving people like Mr Kpim is handwriting on the wall. It is a warning (handwriting) that we are not safe. It is a handwriting that we must arise to defend our community, our heritage, our children and the good collective name – Ugwulangwu – handed down to us by our parents.

As always, Kpim murderers and conspirators are not from strange places, as there were several reports that those who killed him were career criminals and their gangs of marauders whom he had the courage to confront with their criminal records in some of those security meetings allegedly infiltrated by the rogue order. A certain account has it that fight and chaos reigned supreme on the day Kpim confronted the suspects with facts on how a stolen vehicle was balkanised to various parts among the criminal overlords, an allegation that they did not deny but rather responded with violence instead of establishing their innocence. All efforts to reach the fleeing parties proved abortive at press time.

Again, one consensus opinion on Kpim’s murder through gunshot on the fateful day is that he was murdered by career criminals and their co-conspirators in Ugwulanwu, who have resolved through most of their nocturnal meetings to put an end to his whistle-blowing policy on their alleged criminal activities. It was reported that his assailant who reportedly jumped out from the banana stand at the entrance of his home, said “okwa oo [you eh]’’ in our local dialect while Kpim was attempting to ask him, what did I do to you when he pulled the trigger and ran off to awaiting motorcycle in Ugwulangwu Secondary School from where their co-conspirators ferried him away from the crime scene. At the same time, their victim died in the morning of the following day.

First-hand information from victims who narrowly survived the troubles of visiting or travelling through the Ugwulangwu community showed that most of the perpetrators of the security crimes are indigenes of the community. Although very difficult to imagine, I recall a community in which I went anywhere at any time without any concern in the past. It becomes worrying why families, neighbours, clans, kindreds, village heads and other leaders within the Ugwulangwu community should harbour criminals around them to their own detriment or to further their political nest, as it was alleged that politicians without conscience were those aiding and abetting the arms proliferation in Ugwulangwu because of the desperate need to win the next election or curry political appointments based on the degree of violence unleashed on hapless people whom they ought to protect. 

Kpim, a well-known name in almost every household in Ugwulangwu so much that we cared less that it was just an alias. Born in 1970, Mr Benjamin Una (alias Kpim) was known to be a very truthful, peaceful and honest man. Mr Kpim enjoys the popularity that his social generosity and truthfulness naturally bestowed on him. Loved by everyone, Mr Kpim was said to have been involved in a community leadership contest of the Nkwo Ugwulangwu market, in which he overwhelmingly won. Nigeria being what it is, the dirty style of politicking the rightful heir of the throne out of a well-deserved seat led to a cancellation of the result of the first contest. The people’s love for Mr Kpim remained unwavering, and he won again in the second contest. It was gathered that some of the unqualified contestants who were unhappy that Mr Kpim unequivocally won in all the electioneering processes threatened him that he would pay the supreme price. They monitored him closely since that day. On the fateful, the criminals called to confirm that Mr Kpim had just closed from his work and ambushed him. Not mindful of any dangers, he was shot dead as the attacker quickly jumped onto an Okada waiting for him at Ugwulangwu Secondary School and zoomed off.

My heart bleeds. Our hearts bleed. One of the truthful and peaceful icons of Ugwulangwu was murdered. I know Mr Kpim personally, but I regret that Kpim could not survive the atrocities of the criminals in our community. Ani Ugwulangwu and God in heaven will avenge the blood of that honest and truthful man, while all decent Ugwulangwu sons and daughters must work assiduously towards bringing the perpetrators to book no matter how highly placed they might be.

Although some yet-to-be-verified report has it that some of the suspects are now cooling off with security agencies, some of the suspects have reportedly been cooperating with the security agencies in furnishing them with the rightful information about the atrocities prejudicing our once peaceful community. To their shame, it has been alleged that some privileged individuals within the Ugwulangwu community are the major financiers of the criminals. Posterity will not forgive the insensitive fellows if the law ever evades them. As the security agencies continue to do their job, arresting more criminals behind the unrest in the community, we expect that the government will as well make public the names of the financiers of the criminals. In this way, other people hoping to involve themselves in the criminal enterprise, whether as frontliners or financiers, will be put on check.

During the criminal reign of terror some incidents are worthy of mention. It was alleged that their operational zones are Mpu at Enugu state and Otika Ofutu at the boundary between Avu Umuiwa Okposi Okwu and Mgbom Egbani, Ugwulangwu. It was reported that the resident of Mgbom Ugwulangwu and Okposi Okwu were alarmed and alerted at about 9.45am by gun duel between the police and the criminal elements. Some residents from these communities confirmed that men of the Nigerian Police Force, Ohaozara Division were on their routine check point duty at Ezuku Nwoba, Avu, Umuiwa Okposi Okwu on the fateful day sometime around October 2024. Like popular movie scene, the criminals from nowhere emerged and engaged the police in a shot out. It was alleged that the criminals hijacked police van and drove it towards Azu Ogba Mgbom Ugwulangwu. It was also alleged that a police officer from Ugwulangwu with the team sustained 4 bullet wounds during the incident.

Another incident was a chief and principled man from Mgbom Ugwulangwu who arrived late from a journey. The boys had blocked the Okposi-Ugwulangwu boundary and commenced operation. On arrival at the point, one of the boys approached him and said to him “welcome Chief” and allowed him to pass. Perhaps the chief would have been robbed or killed if not for the recognition. A similar incident was a son of the soil that came home for his father’s funeral. The man was stopped at same spot, Ezuku Nwoba and questioned for his identity. He claimed to be “a nobody” who just came home to bury his father. He was allowed to pass. He may have been killed or robbed had he disclosed his real identity.

The efforts of the Nigerian Army must be commended in combating crimes and criminality in Ugwulangwu in particular nay Ohaozara and environs. The intervention of the Nigerian Army led to the arrest and detention of some of the suspects in Ugwulangwu while some fled to other states. The Amry has combed all parts of the community and neighborhood in search of the criminals. It was alleged that the arrested criminals have mentioned names of their sponsors, financiers and other partners/collaborators to the Army and other security agents. It was also alleged that the sponsors in the corridor of power are on the run and distanced themselves from their boys after they learnt that they have been named as the sponsors by their arrested boys. This was a welcomed by the community. Another feat by the Nigerian Army was recovery of some stolen items from Ugwulangwu. Some victims approached the Nigerian Army with proof of ownership and received their items while unidentified items were handed over to the Nigerian Police Force, Ohaozara Division. It would be apt to alert the entire Ugwulangwu community whose items were stolen, robbed or house burgled to visit the Nigerian Police, Uburu with proof of ownership and for possible collection. It is also worthy to mention that since the Nigerian Army struck, there has been peace in the land, no stealing of properties, daylight robbery, rape, forcing people to buy beer, intimidation and harassment. Ugwulangwu celebrated New Year Festival 2025, without any report of theft, crime or harassment. All the genuine and law-abiding residents of Ugwulangwu are happy and commend the Nigerian Army. They are saying ‘more bullets and power to the Nigerian Army’.

However, news filtering in at the time of publishing this article has it that some of the stolen items handed over to the police at Obiozara Divisional Headquarters went missing when the bonafide owner was reportedly told that rats in the station have eaten up the 7 bags of rice submitted along other retrieved stolen items by the Nigerian Army. All efforts to reach the police at the said Division proved abortive at press time.

Men and women of political inclination whose ideal of politics is through handing down illegal arms and ammunitions to their brethren should henceforth stop. We are wounded by the death of Mr Benjamin Una, alias Kpim, amongst others. We are in pain. Following the confessions of any culprit cut in the menace, the Ugwulangwu people will not hesitate to announce anyone sponsoring any Ugwulangwu person in proliferating illegal arms once reliable intelligence is within reach.

May God keep ani Ugwulangwu Ezoke Chima safe and bless whoever that loves the progress of the community, but should not delay in punishing the evil “big-men” shading the blood of our brethren – Iseeee !!!      

For the likes of Mr Kpim et al., who already paid the unwarranted supreme price, may your spirits never give the wrong “big-men” peace until thy father’s land and thy brethren whom thou left behind find safety in the land of their birth once again. Iseeee !!!

© Pegasus Legal & Associates,2025