Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Enugu, Nigeria — A Magistrate Court in Enugu has ordered the remand of suspected hoodlums allegedly connected to a state government official in relation to violent attacks in Mburubu Community, intensifying focus on a lingering crisis that has unsettled the local area and drawn national attention.
The Enugu State Police Command arraigned a number of suspects before the Chukwuani Magistrate Court on Friday, December 19, 2025, over a series of coordinated attacks, vandalism and intimidation campaigns in the Mburubu community of Nkanu East Local Government Area. The court’s decision followed a sustained public outcry and investigative reporting that brought renewed scrutiny to the unrest.
According to police and court records, the suspects are accused of participating in violence that resulted in the deliberate destruction of public and private property, including the vandalism of electricity infrastructure such as transformer wires, which left significant portions of the community without power. Residents have described how the attacks instilled fear and disrupted daily life, further crippling local economic activities and deepening hardship for vulnerable households.
During the proceedings, one of the defendants, Chigbo Nworji Nwafor, testified before the court that he acted on instructions from a local Chief Security Officer, identified in court as Augustin Edeh, also known as Akpaka, who allegedly directed the vandalism during community disturbances. When Edeh was asked to respond, he declined, stating that his lawyer would address the matter on his behalf.
The suspects’ legal counsel sought dismissal of the charges, arguing that the involvement of the Enugu State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Engr. Lawrence Ezeh, suggested political interest in the matter and that the case should be dropped. However, the court rejected the application and ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Centre pending further hearings.
The allegations have reignited long‑standing tensions in Mburubu, a community that has experienced a protracted chieftaincy and governance dispute over traditional leadership and local authority structures. Although not directly related to recent violence, the complex backdrop has contributed to mistrust, competing factions, and, in some cases, claims of political interference in community affairs.
Residents and independent observers in court welcomed the magistrate’s ruling, describing it as a step toward accountability and a measure that could help de‑escalate tensions that have simmered in the community for months. Calls have also been made for thorough investigations to ensure that justice is not compromised by political influence or intimidation.
The remand order comes amid broader efforts by Enugu State authorities to clamp down on criminality and quell violence. In the past year, the Enugu Police Command has reported the arrest of thousands of suspected kidnappers, cultists and armed offenders as part of intensified security operations across the state.
As the legal process unfolds, the case is expected to return to court on a later date for further hearings. Community stakeholders and civil society groups are watching closely, urging transparent proceedings that uphold the rule of law and protect residents’ rights. The development underscores ongoing challenges in addressing communal unrest and the intersection of local disputes with allegations of political entanglement.
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