Speaking to journalists, the head of Okonta kindred, Pa. Ijenwa Okonta who lamented over their sudden disappearance, revealed that the lives of Emeke and his family members were under threat following Emeke’s involvement in the dethronement of Obi Uche Irenuma, the Obi of Abavo Kingdom. According to him, “Our son, Emeke who is the Secretary, Abavo Youths acted on the wish of the youths to sign for the dethronement of Uche Irenuma and ever since then, Irenuma had been sending assassins after him of which in one of their attacks, they killed Emeke’s younger brother, James, beat some of his family members to pulp and destroyed many properties. Ever since that incident, the whereabout of Emeke and his family members have remained unknown. We fear if they are still alive”.
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| Emeke Okonta |
He further stated that the matter has since been reported to the Abavo Police Division, calling on the members of the public who have information on their whereabout to report to the nearest police station at least for the Okonta's family to know that they are still alive, even as Uche Irenuma has continued to threaten to kill Emeke and his family members whenever he sees them for it is a prize for Emeke to pay for signing his dethronement.
It was on record that a member of the Abavo royal family, on his dying bed confessed that Uche Irenuma is not the legitimate king of Abavo Kingdom, revealing that the throne was sold to Uche’s father years ago, an abominable act to the gods of the land, thus causing the gods to visit those who were involved in selling the throne with death penalty. He also demanded that Uche Irenuma be dethroned without delay and as well for the people to go in search of their rightful monarch.