The people of Idima Abam in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State have expressed sadness over the arrest and detention of their king, EzeOgo Chukwu Jonah, by the Nigerian Police Force. They also condemned the destruction of properties, the killing of innocent people, and political intimidation allegedly carried out by the Red Chamber group led by Sampson Orji and Mike Okorie.
During a recent protest by the Umudi Ndiume of Ndi Awuru, the President General of the Idima Abam Development Union, Dike Patrick Kalu, spoke to journalists. He criticized the ongoing leadership dispute over the EzeOgo position between two factions of the Umudi Ndiume. This dispute began after the death of the former EzeOgo, Okorie Joshua of Umudi NdiOkorie, in 2022, who had earlier been forced into exile in September 2019 by the Red Chamber.
Dike Kalu explained that the elders of Umudi Ndiume in Idima Abam installed EzeOgo Chukwu Jonah as king in April 2025. He said the accusations made by Sampson Orji and Mike Okorie claiming that EzeOgo Jonah was leading a terrorist group were false and intended to disrupt his leadership.
Speaking during the protest, Mrs. Mary Chukwu Jonah, the wife of the detained king, confirmed that her husband was arrested by the Nigerian Police on November 19, 2025, at Ntigha in Abia State and taken to Abuja the following day.
The youth leader of the Idima Abam Development Union, Mr. Okorie Oloko, added that Governor Alex Chioma Otti had earlier suspended the activities of the Red Chamber group in Idima Abam due to increased violence, destruction of property, loss of lives, and the kingship crisis.
In their separate accounts, victims of the Red Chamber attacks Cecilia James Iroh, NwanyiSunday Okoro, and Thomas Kalu Okorie appealed to the state government to restore lasting peace, intervene in the crisis, and release EzeOgo Chukwu Jonah so he can continue his kingship in Idima Abam.
