Njemanze of Owerri Assists Aro Expedition and Is Rewarded with Warrant Chief Status

Njemanze of Owerri was a powerful and influential slave-dealer in pre-British days, known to the Royal Niger Company since 1895 when contact was made through their Oguta station via an Aro agent. During the Aro Expedition of 1901–2, when two military columns heading for Arochukwu passed through Owerri, Njemanze helped provide them with local guides to Bende. After the expedition he was used by the administration to gather the chiefs of neighbouring village-groups including Akabo, Nekede, Naze, Emekuku, Ogi, Egbu, Nguru, Irete, and others, all of whom were appointed Warrant Chiefs.