The President General of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (ODA), Mr. Izu Osamor, has been arrested by operatives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to reliable community sources, Mr. Osamor was apprehended by detectives at his home in Ogwashi-Uku on Saturday, October 25, 2025. Police authorities in Abuja have confirmed the arrest, though official details about the charges have not yet been made public.
However, several credible sources within the community suggest that the arrest may be linked to recent allegations made by Mr. Osamor and other ODA executives against His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
In a series of public statements and media interviews, the ODA leadership accused the monarch of bringing “mercenaries” into the community to commit acts of rape, murder, and kidnapping. They also accused him of land grabbing and other serious criminal activities.
Reacting to the development, a prominent chief of the kingdom described the accusations as reckless, defamatory, and deeply disrespectful to the throne, stressing that such grave claims must be backed with evidence before law enforcement.
“You cannot accuse a First-Class Traditional Ruler on television, radio, and social media of such serious crimes without proof,” the chief said. “The police are within their rights to invite those making these allegations to provide evidence. The ODA executives have been running a campaign of defamation and misinformation against the Obi for years, and this must stop.”
He continued, “The Obi has remained silent out of his role as a father to all, but that silence should not be mistaken for guilt. It’s time for these claims to be properly examined by the law. In fact, the ODA should welcome the police investigation so the truth can finally come out.”
Observers noted that just two days before the arrest—on Thursday, October 23, 2025—ODA members held a protest at the Delta State Government House in Asaba, where they submitted a petition repeating similar allegations against the Obi.
Despite reportedly hiring 18 buses to transport protesters from Ogwashi-Uku, turnout was very low, with only two buses eventually making the trip. Eyewitnesses said barely 20 people, including a hired group of singers, showed up at the protest venue.
During the protest, the ODA accused the Obi of land grabbing and condemned certain judgments by the Delta State High Court. A senior government official, speaking anonymously, criticized the protest as misguided, noting that the executive branch cannot overrule court judgments.
“We understand that the ODA is a voluntary civic group meant to promote development, not to meddle in traditional or administrative matters. They should allow the Obi to lead in peace,” the official said.
He also condemned the use of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s photos during the protest, calling it an unfortunate and deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of a globally respected figure who has no connection to the dispute.
As of the time of this report, efforts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his phone went unanswered.
