MY LIFE IS IN DANGER OVER AMICHI DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS — EX-COMMUNITY LEADER
Read Time:3 Minute, 33 Second
By: Fasasi Hammad
Former President-General of Amichi Community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Cletus Udebuani, has raised the alarm over alleged threats to his life, claiming he is being targeted because of the development projects he initiated during his tenure.
Udebuani made the allegation in an appeal letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, the state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji, and the Nnewi South Local Government Authority.
He called for urgent intervention, alleging that some individuals were threatening his life and attempting to frustrate ongoing development efforts in the community.
The former community leader, whose tenure ended in August 2026, claimed his major challenge in office was his refusal to compromise with individuals allegedly seeking to take control of Amichi’s development projects and convert a market project into a private estate.
According to him, an election could not be conducted at the end of his tenure because of a court order restraining the government and other relevant bodies from organising one.
He said the Anambra State Government subsequently dissolved his administration and inaugurated a caretaker committee to manage the community’s affairs pending the conduct of an election. Udebuani added that he handed over to the committee and presented a comprehensive account of his stewardship, including bank statements.
He explained that before commencing the construction of new plazas at Amichi New Market, he informed the relevant authorities, who he said provided support and cooperation. These included the Board of Trustees, the local government, community stakeholders and the general assembly.
In the letter, titled “My Life Is in Danger Because I Brought Development to My Town as the President-General of Amichi Community,” which was made available to journalists in Awka on Tuesday, Udebuani recounted the security challenges he faced after assuming office on August 6, 2022.
He said Amichi, despite being a large community with successful indigenes and four quarters, had become almost deserted because of insecurity across Anambra State and the South-East.
According to him, kidnappings, killings and fears of attacks forced residents to relocate social events, including traditional marriages, funerals and festivals, to Nnewi, Onitsha and Awka. He added that some landlords abandoned their properties while businesses suffered significant losses.
Udebuani said restoring peace and security became his first major priority, a task that took nearly two years and involved reaching out to Amichi indigenes living in different parts of Nigeria and abroad.
He claimed that the community’s security model became effective enough to attract neighbouring communities seeking to learn from its approach to community policing. He added that residents had gradually returned, while social events resumed without the level of fear previously experienced.
He also identified the reconstruction of the market and other peace-building initiatives as key achievements of his administration, saying they helped strengthen Amichi’s position as a commercial hub.
Explaining the dispute surrounding the market project, Udebuani said his refusal to allow individuals to hijack the community’s development efforts had exposed him to threats and attempts to disrupt construction work.
He maintained that he worked with the Board of Trustees and other stakeholders throughout his tenure and did not make decisions unilaterally.
The former president-general further alleged that the threats had continued since he left office, with one individual reportedly boasting that he would deal with him as he had dealt with others.
He accused the individual of engaging people to insult and criticise him on social media and through voice notes, while also allegedly threatening to have him arrested and imprisoned by using connections within the Nigeria Police Force.
Udebuani said some community stakeholders had stood by him because of his commitment to Amichi’s development and peace.
Appealing to the authorities for protection, he said he was now afraid to return to his hometown because of the alleged threats.
He urged the President, the National Assembly leadership and the police authorities to intervene, protect his life and prevent anyone from using political influence or government power to intimidate or silence him.
Udebuani maintained that he had committed no offence beyond pursuing development in his community and called for measures to safeguard his life, reputation and integrity.
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