From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka

Scores of women and youths in Umuoba Anam, Anambra State, who wereinvolved in nude protest against their tradtional ruler, Igwe G.A. Ekwealor have been ordered to appease the gods of the landwhich they said has been defied.

The women and youths, it was gathered protested nude against their monarch for allegedly being instrumental to the presence of Fulani herdsmen in their community.

Handing down the order after their meeting at Otuocha, the Anambra East Traditional Rulers Council, directed that the protesters must carry out the order within two weeks to avoid the gods visiting the community with calamity.

Already, the Umuoba Anam monarch, Igwe Ekwealor had denied having any hand in bringing the herdsmen to the community and was absolved of any wrong doing by the council which looked into the issue on Monday.

Chairman of the council and traditional ruler of  Mkpunabo Kingdom, Aguleri Otu, Igwe Alex Edozieuno, while announcing the decision in Awka, the state capital said the council took time to look into the matter and after careful deliberations, came to the conclusion to save the community from possible calamity, hence, the resolve that the offenders should appease the gods of the land.

He disclosed that the council invited elders of the community who condemned the protesters and passed judgment on them hence the verdict passed on them.

The chairman,  who emphasised the importance of peace and stability in communities in the sate especially in Anambra East, Governor Willie Obiano’s local government, noted that the council also waded into a dispute that would have degenerated into inter communal clash between Igbariam and Nando communities.

He said the situation was so bad that members of the two communities resorted to stealing farm crops of each other, especially cassava plants at night.

Edozieuno said the council resolved the problem by advising the communities to only harvest their cassava plants two times a week in broad day light.

The council, however, praised the leadership quality of their son, Governor Obiano and urged the people of the state to give him a second chance and vote massively for him in the forthcoming election.

This was just as it appealed for the loyalty and support of all citizens including church and community leaders to ensure peace and security in Anambra East.