Zone 9 Police Wade into Orlu Community Crisis

-Villagers accuse monarch of desperation

-Police caution land grabbers against fueling crisis in community

Sequel to the unabating crisis arising from the alleged plot by a church to fraudulently acquire the former TESAC premises, which previously accommodated the Orlu campus of the Imo State Polytechnic, a move consistently resisted by villagers, one Chidi Acholonu was arrested by the police on Thursday last week.

Others arrested include the Palace Secretary, Okey Duru; a chief identified as Agbata; and Fes Akwari. They were taken to the Zone 9 Police Command, Umuahia, Abia State, where they were cautioned against causing unrest in the community and subsequently granted bail.

Commenting on the development, Hon. Nwadike Uzomba, who also visited Zone 9, expressed disappointment that the dispute which has lingered in the community for a long time has escalated. He alleged that the traditional ruler, Eze Dr. Patrick Acholonu, along with others, is aligning with individuals allegedly determined to ensure that the church acquires the land contrary to the will of the community, and has refused to de-escalate tensions.

The arrest of the aforementioned persons was prompted by a petition titled:
“Petition Against Mr. Chidi Acholonu, Mr. Agbaka Ozoemena, Mr. Okey Duru, and Others for Alleged Criminal Misinformation, Conspiracy, and Unlawful Interference with the Affairs of Orlu Town Development Union (OTDU)”, addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 9, Umuahia, by members of the community.

The petition reads in part:“We are solicitors to concerned members and stakeholders of the Orlu Town Development Union (OTDU), hereinafter referred to as our clients, on whose firm instructions we write to your office.

Our clients have briefed us on circumstances giving rise to serious concern capable of undermining peace, order, and the lawful administration of the affairs of the Orlu Town Development Union.

Our clients inform us that on the 8th day of February 2026, Mr. Chidi Acholonu, allegedly acting at the instigation of certain influential persons in Orlu, including the Chairman of Ndi Obi na Ozo (Head of Chiefs), Mr. Ozoemena, and the Palace Secretary, Mr. Okey Duru, prepared and forwarded a petition containing false and misleading security information to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orlu Division.”