The Amobi royal family in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has called for urgent intervention by security agencies and the state government over alleged harassment and intimidation by suspected thugs within the community.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the family residence on Monday, a principal member of the family, Chief Kene Amobi, said members of the household are currently living in fear, describing their situation as one of “constant siege.”
Amobi alleged that certain individuals in the community have continued to deploy thugs to intimidate and oppress the family, noting that fear of reprisals has made it difficult for them to openly identify those involved.
“We are appealing to the police and the Anambra State Government to come to our aid. The level of intimidation is such that we cannot even sleep peacefully,” he said.
He further claimed that some of the alleged perpetrators operate with the backing of influential figures, accusing them of orchestrating the destruction of security infrastructure recently installed in the area.
According to him, members of the family in the diaspora had funded the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across parts of the community to enhance security, alongside efforts to improve road conditions through sand filling.
“Our brothers and sisters abroad, led by Dr. Odinaka Amobi in New York, supported the installation of CCTV cameras to curb insecurity. Unfortunately, some of these cameras have been vandalised and stolen,” he stated.
Amobi also alleged that residents are often subjected to threats and harassment for speaking out, adding that victims risk being attacked in their homes.
He disclosed that the matter had been reported to the police.
However, when contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Command had no prior knowledge of the incident.
“I am just hearing about this situation for the first time, and there is no record of such a report before the Command,” Ikenga said, urging the family to provide details of the police station where the complaint was lodged to enable appropriate follow-up.
The family has reiterated its call for immediate protection, warning that the situation, if left unaddressed, could escalate further.
