Group, Anambra clash over arrest, disappearance of gatekeeper

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre has expressed concerns over the alleged violent invasion of the residence of a middle-age man, Mr Jude Anokwu, in Udezu Village, Achalla,in the Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident, which reportedly happened on Saturday, was said to have been carried out by armed men believed to include personnel of the Anambra State security outfit, ‘Operation Udogachi’.

In the operation reportedly led by one “Sese Kolombo”, Anokwu’s residence was allegedly  vandalised, the CCTV installation destroyed, as well as the removal of his vehicle and personal belongings.

While the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security and commander of “Operation Udogachi”, Ken Emeakayi, is insisting that the security operatives do not get involved in any civil or private matters because such is outside their job descriptions, RULAAC is, however, saying otherwise.

RULAAC, in a petition signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, and made available to our correspondent on Monday, said during the invasion, Anokwu’s gatekeeper, identified simply as “Chibuzo”, was allegedly shot by an armed security personnel identified as “Atanda”.

Nwanguma added that the house and other property, including the CCTV cameras, were vandalised and destroyed during the operation, adding that the operation was carried out under the authority of the Security Adviser to the Governor and commander of ‘Operation Udogachi’, Ken Emeakai.

According to him, the present location and condition of the gatekeeper remain unknown.

The letter read, “RULAAC is seriously concerned about the reported violent invasion of the residence of Mr Jude Anokwu of Udezu Village, Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday, 17 October 2026.

“According to information made available to RULAAC, armed men believed to include personnel of the Anambra State security outfit, ‘Operation Udogachi’, and armed persons from Udezu Village invaded Anokwu’s residence. The operation was reportedly led by Chijioke Ekwelie, also known as ‘Sese Kolombo’.

“During the invasion, Anokwu’s gatekeeper – simply identified as Chibuzo – was allegedly shot by a man identified as Atanda. His present location and condition remain unknown. He is reportedly not among those being detained with Mr. Anokwu. The house and other property were also allegedly vandalised or destroyed during the operation.

“Anokwu was reportedly taken away violently alongside several friends who were visiting him. Their vehicle and personal belongings were also taken. RULAAC has been informed that Anokwu and several others are presently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka.”

RULAAC noted that the incident could not be considered in isolation as it bears disturbing similarities to Anokwu’s previous arrest on July 24, 2025, arising from the same long-running dispute over land inherited from his family.

According to the group, on the occasion, local actors from Udezu Village, working with police personnel, allegedly invaded his residence at about 5.30am, assaulted him with wooden planks, sprayed tear gas into his eyes, handcuffed him and took him to Achalla Police Division.

“He was subsequently handed over to a police team from Zone 2 Command, Lagos, and transported across state lines to Lagos without any apparent jurisdictional justification.

“At Zone 2 Command, Anokwu was confronted with allegations of conspiracy, terrorism, threat to life, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace and association with IPOB/ESN. He was reportedly assaulted and sustained injuries to his ribs and jaw.

“Bail conditions requiring two sureties with landed property in Lagos were also imposed on him, even though he lived in Anambra and had no meaningful connection with Lagos.

• NBA, rights group warn against weaponisation of judiciary
• Workshop enhances capacity for media stakeholders in oil sector
• Police foil kidnapping attempt in Anambra

“Following RULAAC’s intervention, the then Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 reviewed the matter and directed Mr. Anokwu’s release. He subsequently required medical treatment for the injuries he allegedly sustained during the arrest and detention.

“The latest operation, reportedly involving some of the same local interests, therefore raises a reasonable concern that it may be a continuation of efforts to dispossess Anokwu of his inherited family land through intimidation, violence and the manipulation of security agencies.

“RULAAC has also received disturbing information that plans may have been made to accuse Anokwu of harbouring IPOB/ESN members and training so-called “Yahoo boys’.

“We do not present these claims—or the accusations against him—as established facts. However, the recycling of grave security allegations resembling those used against him in 2025 demands urgent and impartial scrutiny. Allegations of terrorism or criminal association must never become convenient instruments for settling land disputes or silencing a party asserting proprietary rights.

“We are further informed that the current operation and detention were carried out under the authority of Ken Emeakai, identified as the Governor’s Security Adviser and commander of Operation Udogachi,” RULAAC added.

The group, therefore, called upon the leadership of the ‘Operation Udogachi’ security outfit to clarify publicly, the legal and factual basis for the operation at Anokwu’s residence; the identities and official status of everyone who participated; whether armed civilians from Udezu village accompanied security personnel and, if so, why; the circumstances in which Anokwu’s gatekeeper was allegedly shot, who took him away and his present location and medical condition.

RULAAC also called on the Governor of Anambra State, the State Security Adviser, the leadership of Operation Udogachi and the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, to act fairly, transparently and strictly in the interest of justice.

“Finally, the underlying land dispute should be resolved through lawful civil processes, not armed raids, detention or unsubstantiated security allegations. The Anambra State Government must ensure that Operation Udogachi does not become available to powerful private interests as an instrument of intimidation or dispossession,” the group said.

However, when contacted on Tuesday, Emeakayi, insisted that the security operatives under his watch do not get involved in anything civil or private matters as such is outside their job descriptions.

Emeakayi said his office has no business or interests with land matters, and local politics of Achalla and/or any other communities for that matter.

He said, “There are serious security threats and concerns in Achalla and as a result we have already invited the community’s leadership, including the Igwe and the PG, to a meeting on Friday October 23, 2026, at the Old Government House, Awka, by 2pm.

“RULAAC should accept this as an official invitation to come and observe the proceedings of the said meeting in order to get first-hand information about the real issues and alleged involvement of the state security outfit in Achalla.”

However, reacting to Emeakayi’s invitation to the meeting, Nwanguma said RULAAC welcomes Emeakayi’s invitation to attend the proposed meeting with the leadership of Achalla community on Friday, October 23, 2026.

He, however, told Emeakayi that a meeting scheduled for a later date cannot substitute for immediate answers to urgent questions arising from an operation reportedly conducted by a state security outfit under his supervision.

He said, “Emeakayi’s response does not deny that personnel of the security outfit participated in the operation. It does not disclose the legal basis for the raid, the allegations against those arrested, the identities of the participating operatives or the location and condition of Chibuzo, who was reportedly shot and taken away.”