Elders of Nnewi community have warned against attempt by some propagandists to blackmail Monarch of Anaedo town, Igwe Kenneth Orizu II of Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The warning is coming on the heel of rumours that the first class monarch was caught traveling with N10 million marked money paid as ransom to alleged kidnappers.

The rumour also had it that the marked money was paid as ransom to hoodlums at Ukpor in Nnewi South council after they had released a popular businessman dealing on motor spare parts in Nkwo Nnewi market.

But when Daily Independent spoke with the former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Ikenga of Nnewi, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, he described the report as not only false but laughable.

"I have been with Igwe Orizu and he is at home. What does he want in life? This man is more than 80 years and he has come full of life and he has no need for that. I know there may have been a mix up somewhere. Some community names like Neni, Nimo, Nise, Nnewe and the rest of them sound almost similar to the name 'Nnewi.'

"But I am not saying it is any of those communities. Igwe Orizu is a first class chief in Nigeria and his name should not be used as a weapon for cheap blackmail by rumour mongers and idle people. Are they insinuating that he has something to do with kidnappers or what?

"Speaking on behalf of our elders, we shall not tolerate a situation where a revered monarch in Nigeria is being blackmailed. We shall still get to the root of these stories and shall not hesitate to bring those behind it to book."

Also, Igwe Kenneth Orizu said, "There is no such thing and you know it; what do I want such money for am I doing business or what. My son, I am old and everyday I am here in my house receiving visitors and deliberating on issues. Those who said this are they saying that I had business with them or what?"

Former House of Assembly member, Chief Benson Chuks Nwosu, couldn't hide his rage, "what nonsense? Some times I get amazed at the type of stories people go about peddling. These faceless miscreants whose stock in trade is to go about maligning the image of elder statesman of this caliber should purge themselves of their iniquities.

"We have had enough of such rubbish and we, Nnewi people, will not take kindly to such affront at bringing our royal father to public ridicule."