Fr. Olundienigwe decry Invasion of worship center, demolition of sacred images, buildings worth millions of naira

The Youths simply recovered access roads encroached by Ministry – PGThe Spiritual Director of Olu Ndi Enigwe Adoration Ministry, Obosi at Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Jude Uche Olundienigwe has decried the incessant molestation, invasions, assault and battering of worshippers and workers allegedly perpetrated by some youths from Obosi community who claims that the land where the worship center was built now belongs to them.

He further accused Eze Obosi and the Youths for destroying sacred images and church building structures worth millions of naira.

Fr. Jude Olundienigwe lamented that although the church property and structures demolished were worth over 20 million naira but added that the damage incurred by the demolition of the sacred images and altar of worship on the souls of worshippers was unquantifiable.”The damage is not just monetary. It killed many souls of worshippers, destroying their faith. No amount one will pay materially will be enough to pay for the damages. I call on them to repent”.

Moreover, Fr. Jude Olundienigwe, Hon Emeka Ikechukwu Orizu of Silverspot Concept and Security consultant to Olu Ndi Enigwe Adoration ministry,Eye witnesses cum victims, Brother Chidiebube Aputazia Personal Assistant to Fr. Jude, Brother Chidiebere Nwabuko in there separate speeches alleged that the youths armed with guns who raided the adoration ground in the company of a Caterpillar bulldozer claimed they came straight from the palace alleging that Igwe Obosi ordered them to demolish the worship center.

“As the bulldozer was demolishing our structures and sacred images we called Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi on phone several times to ascertain wether he was the person who issued the order as the Youths claimed but he refused to pick our call. We put a call to the President General of Obosi, Sir. Engr. Ikechukwu Okolo who said he could not intervene or stop the Obosi youths until he hears from Igwe Obosi. The boys had a field day threatening to shoot me if I showed up. They razed down the whole worship center”, said Fr. Uche Olundienigwe.

Narrating the invasion, Chidiebere Nwabuko, a worshipper and eye witness said that the bulldozer operator who was contracted to do the job refused to work when he discovered that his assignment was to pull down a worship center.”They threatened to beat him up saying that he has been for the job at the palace before they set out. Infact, it took them making several calls which they claimed was from the palace before the operator started destroying the church of God and the sacred images against his will”.

Fr. Olundienigwe stressed that the property located at Ugbongene layout near Idemili Obosi bypass which was originally 23 plots of land were fully negotiated and purchased from Umuopi family the original owners of the land saying that Federal Government utilized about 10 plots of the land for the construction of the Second Niger bridge road leaving behind about 13 plots for Olu Ndi Enigwe adoration ministry.

According to Cleric,” the documents of 23 plots of land purchased from Umuopi family, Obosi are with us. In 2019, the Federal Government decided to construct a road leading to the Second Niger bridge through the land which we obliged. The Archbishop of Onitsha Catholic Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Valerian Okeke advised us to temporarily vacate the place to enable the construction company do their job after which they utilized about 10 plots out of the property”.

“Since we returned to reconstruct and continue our normal worship in our property it has been trouble. The Youths of Umuopi family came destroying church structures saying that Government compensated us so we do not have any land left. We said no, Government only compensated us for the much it used, we still have about 13 plots left. Many times they came and beat up worshippers and artisans reconstructing the place, confiscated their work tools”.

“We have been trying to make peace. After about three invasions and extortion last year we approached the PG who tried to mediate between Olu Ndi Enigwe Adoration ministry and Umuopi family. The PG asked them to go and verify wether we encroached into another person’s land, they said no. This fouth negotiation which ended with another compensation of one million naira was documented as a MOU and signed by witnesses including the PG stating that we should not be harassed again but we were surprised at this latest development and demolition”, they said.

Meanwhile, Fr. Uche Olundienigwe revealed that the Archbishop Okeke had earlier inaugurated a peace panel of inquiry headed by Rev Fr. Theophilus Odukwe saying that Obosi people refused to honor several invitations from the panel.

Moreso, Emeka Orizu who said that he has been receiving threat messages since the incident said that he had called and approached both the monarch and PG on the matter urging them to use their good office to stop the criminality, invasions and intimidation allegedly perpetrated by those youths against the Adoration ministry but all to no avail.

“The last time I spoke with the PG on this issue he told me to do whatever is necessary to recover the situation. We have written a petition to the AIG Nigerian Police Zone 13 to come to our rescue because this is a pure case of trespass, assault and threat to lives”, said Orizu.

Aputazia said:”In one of the occasion when those youths invaded us, they used axe to design my body leaving deep wounds on me. They even damaged my phones. The PG was informed about it , all he could tell us was to take heart.

In a telephone interview, Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi denied sending any group of armed youths to demolish the worship center.

However, the Obosi PG who called for dialogue claimed that Fr. Jude Olundienigwe was the architect of his own misfortune saying that all his efforts as the community leader to mediate between the adoration ministry and Obosi indigenes were frustrated by the cleric.

According to the PG, Okolo “I did not receive any invitation from the Archbishop for any peace talk rather Fr Olundienigwe at a point said he had lost confidence in the Palace and refused the invitation from Eze Obosi for further dialogue”.

“Igwe Chidubem Iweka of Obosi could not have sent people to demolish a worship center. I found out that Fr. Olundienigwe acquired property and built structures blocking other property owners around that area from having access roads to their lands. So the original Land owners- Youths simply went to recover access roads encroached by the Ministry”, said Okolo.