Cocoa Thief Meets Waterloo In Bende

The sleeping town of Okporoenyi Autonomous Community in Bende Local Government Area of Abia Wednesday afternoon, had its quietness shaken, when a middle aged man who specializes in stealing cocoa seeds was apprehended by the youths.

The man who is in his early 40’s, Sunday Uwakwe also known as Onwa, was caught in the act by youths of the community after trailing him for months.

Sunday Uwakwe also known as Ọnwa

Dreamnews gathered that Ọnwa has been terrorizing farmers, causing them pain and huge losses amounting to millions of naira from their cocoa farms.

Further inquiries revealed that Onwa returned from detention not long ago and has continued with his dubious activities which has further angered members of the community who threatened to lynch him.

Luck ran out of him when the youths, acting on credible information, caught Onwa on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 in one of the farms carrying out his activity. The youths, in order not to take the laws into their hands, brought Onwa to the village hall to the excitement of people of the community.

The Councillor representing Bende Ward in Bende LGA, Hon. Emmanuel Nwankwo, who spoke to Dreamnews lauded the youths for the feat in apprehending Onwa who has been a torn in the flesh of farmers in the community.

He blamed widespread criminality in the country and community on drug addiction, decrying that youths instead of embarking on legitimate ventures, have continued to be a clog in the wheels of development in various communities.

Hon. Nwankwo also used the opportunity to advise youths to engage in positive ventures rather than negativity, adding that the full weight of the law will fall on deviants who bring bad name to the community.

Others who spoke to Southeastposts, appreciated the youths for the feat, urging them to apprehend others who have been stealing from cocoa farmers in the community.

As at the time of filing in this report, Onwa has been handed over to men of Bende Police Division.