NNEWI MOURNS

His name was Mr Chieloka Ubajekwe, the head of the Nnewichi command of the Nnewi Concerned Citizens (NCC) Vigilante Service.

He was a humble family man, church worker and fearless leader who worked tirelessly to keep his community safe.

He was one of the several volunteers who came out to say enough is enough to crime and criminality that was threatening to take over the Nnewi Commercial town before the distinguished senator, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah rose to the occasion and decided to show the state government in practical terms how insecurity can be eradicated in the state without necessarily waiting for the federal government and its agencies.

It was yet another Monday and Mr Chieloka was on patrol with his men as Anambra residents closed offices, schools and businesses in fear-induced obedience to the curious sit-at-home currently observed in the southeast by Anambra state alone.

Gallant community vigilante men and women stood guard over the town as has become the tradition every day.

Mr Chieloka led his men to the Authority Radio complex to meet and greet the senator who was in the station to hold his constituency briefing and inspect his ongoing MultiMedia Complex within the premises of the radio station.

I exchanged pleasantries with the humble unassuming man who inquired after the whereabouts of the senator and was informed by yours truly that he was upstairs inspecting the 5 storey edifice nearing completion that will house the first privately owned Television Station east of the Niger to compete with the likes of Channels, Al Jazeera and the rest.
However, Mr Chieloka opted to stand with us and gist while waiting for the senator to round up his inspection.

A distress call came a few minutes into our discussion and he hurried out with his men in three Siennas with all of them suddenly discarding their jovial mood and wearing frowns that told the entire story of what they intended to do to the criminals once they laid hands on them. Little did Mr Chieloka know that he was about to meet his maker just a day after giving testimony during the Father's Day celebration by the Anglican in his church.

The call informed them that a set of kidnappers were on the prowl in a government vehicle like a Prado jeep in an area around the boundary town of Nnewichi, close to Nnobi.

Upon realising the readiness of the town to repel criminals, the kidnappers who were said to be surveilling a hotel in the area, quickly turned around and made to leave town. But the vigilante operatives who were in active radio communication with their men on the streets made a detour to cut them off from leaving town.

The next scene was a sudden face-to-face encounter and a heated exchange of gunfire. It is worthy to note at this juncture that the sophistication of the weapons wielded by the kidnappers as seen by spent shells on the floor after the gun duel calls for concern and needs to be investigated by security agencies

Despite their superior firepower, the intruders saw firsthand the determination of the Vigilante operatives to secure their town and quickly fled into Nnobi town en route wherever they came from, with injuries.

But they left in their wake sorrows, tears and blood as Mr Chieloka was fatally wounded along with the driver of his vehicle.

While the driver is presently battling for his life after being operated on, last night, we lost Mr Chieloka to the cold hands of death.

Dear Mr Chieloka, I was at your house with the distinguished senator last night to commiserate with your young wife and kids and I know first-hand the type of vacuum that you have left in their lives.

It is true that the senator has promised to take care of your family but nothing can replace you in the lives of your loved ones.

We ask God to take full charge of providing comfort to your family and assure you that your sacrifices for the people of Nnewi will never be in vain.

Goodnight, Mr Chieloka. We shall honour your memory by continuing to stand united against crime and violence regardless of the shenanigans of those who play politics with the lives of the people they are meant to protect.

It is well with your gentle soul.

Indeed, the entire Nnewi Mourns!

The article focuses more on hyping than on reporting death and insecurity.

Anyways, may the departed soul rest in peace.

immortalcrown:
The article focuses more on hyping than on reporting death and insecurity.

Anyways, may the departed soul rest in peace.

Exactly

The tragedy of security force

This man right here is a man I know growing up. Ifeanyi Uba in his usual way is trying to infuse himself into the story


RIP Chieloka, Nnewichi mourns you. Good thing those kidnappers were caught