Nimo, Njikoka LGA, Anambra State Nigeria — April 20, 2025
In the heart of Anambra State, the Nimo community is grappling with a crisis that has pitted its leaders against accusations of terrorism and fractured its social fabric. At a charged meeting of the Nimo National Executive Council on Saturday, held at the Nimo Town Development Union (NTDU) Town Hall, members rallied to defend 13 prominent citizens, including the President General, Engr. Dan Zeelunjo Anakpe, who were branded as “unknown gunmen,” members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and terrorists in a petition sent to authorities in Abuja.
The council, a governing body of community leaders, moved a motion declaring the accused as “men of impeccable character” and dismissed the petition as a smear campaign orchestrated by individuals intent on destabilizing Nimo. The motion, proposed by Hon Tony Anaedobe, the former National Vice President of the NTDU and village chairman of Isiabo Ezira, accused the petition’s instigators of profiteering from the illegal sale of community properties while undermining peace efforts.
“Anybody who comes across such a petition should disregard it as a scheme by troublemakers who do not have the interest of Nimo at heart,” Hon Anaedebe said, his voice resonating with conviction in the packed hall. The council’s stance reflects a broader struggle in Nimo, a town caught between aspirations for progress and the shadow of Nigeria’s volatile security landscape, where labels like “unknown gunmen” carry lethal implications.
The meeting also marked a bold restructuring of Nimo’s leadership. The council dissolved the previous Board of Trustees, citing its alleged compromise, and inaugurated a new board to steer the community forward. Among the resolutions was the adoption of a Peace Committee Report as a guiding framework, which has been forwarded to relevant authorities. The council outlined a packed December schedule, including a general assembly on December 27, a women’s wing meeting on December 28, a homecoming event on December 26, a national convention on December 30 to honour Nimo’s heroes, and a youth-focused national day on December 31.
The legal status of the NTDU’s executive added a layer of complexity to the proceedings. The council’s legal adviser, Barrister Sunday Mmagu, clarified that while a court order had dissolved the current executive, a stay of execution allows them to continue operating pending an appeal. This legal limbo has not deterred Engr. Dan Zeelunjo Anakpe used the platform to reaffirm his commitment to Nimo’s revival.
In an impassioned speech, Anakpe thanked the council for its vote of confidence and outlined his administration’s achievements, including the reactivation of Nimo General Hospital. He called for community support to transform the hospital into a subsidized healthcare hub for low-income residents, a vision that resonates in a region where access to quality medical care remains a luxury.
Anakpe also praised Nimo youth for resisting efforts to disorganise the community, pledging to restore peace and harmony. “We are planning a grand homecoming event this December,” he said, his tone buoyant with optimism. “We look forward to making it historic and a resounding success.”
The meeting, attended by ward councillors, village chairmen, NTDU branch chairmen from different states of Nigeria and dignitaries including Nze Godwin Akubue, underscored Nimo’s determination to reclaim its narrative. Yet, the accusations levelled in the Abuja petition—linked to broader tensions over IPOB’s separatist activities in Nigeria’s southeast—cast a long shadow. Analysts say such labels, often weaponized in local disputes, risk escalating community conflicts into national security crackdowns.
For now, Nimo leaders are focused on unity and progress, betting on transparency and collective action to counter their detractors. As the December events approach, the town hopes to showcase not just its resilience but its vision for a future unmarred by division.
