…Hoodlums warned community not to return for Christmas over levy – Source
Facts are gradually coming to light as to the real reasons behind the carnage that took place last week in no fewer than six communities in Orsu Council Area of Imo state.
Recall that no fewer than 18 people were killed in coordinated attacks across several communities in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State on Sunday and Monday.
While public condemnation has trailed the wanton bloodletting in Orsu, many are yet to come to terms with the real reasons for the dastardly attack on innocent indigenes still in the Christmas and New Year holiday mood.
Crimefacts team of reporters reached out to local sources and community leaders of Orsu in search of the real reasons that may have triggered the vicious attack on unarmed locals, vulnerable women and children.
Different information and suggestions were gathered. While some believed that some terrorists, suspected to be a dissident arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were behind the attack, others explained that the attack was just a way for the terror group, which they said had largely be degraded by security forces, to assert control and by so doing convey the impression that they still have a grip on the embattled community.
Another narrative from a community leader who craved anonymity, was rather disturbing.
“We are all shaken up by this level of wickedness and the only reason I can think of that will make any sense why these criminals unleashed such heartless assault on our community, may be traced to the levy these bandits, hiding under the name ‘IPOB’, imposed on some communities.
Some communities out of fear, secretly paid up, while others defied the hoodlums, obviously because the security forces have made a lot of progress in securing and sanitising our communities.
“I also remember that they went round in a vehicle, with speakers announcing in communities like Amaruru, warning them not to celebrate or return home for Christmas if they fail to pay the levy, as there will be consequences.
“So the only explanation for this ungodly attack would be that these hoodlums premeditatedly unleashed mayhem on communities that defied them so as to strike fear into the rest of Orsu land suggesting that inspite of the successes of the Nigerian security forces in Orsu, that they were not finished yet.”
Another source, a passionate stakeholder, Franklin Nchedom (Not real name) said that, much as the attack was chilling, that he was convinced that the hoodlums behind the attack were merely desperately struggling to appear relevant and in control in the village.
“Before now, they will attack anywhere they like with bravado and go only when they want to, but this time around, they chose to strike in silence with only matchets and axes, avoiding firearms because they will be immediately engaged. And they fled the community before local security got wind of the attack. I’m confident that their days are numbered.”
He regretted that there is strong suspicion that some elements in the diaspora, for fear of these hoodlums burning down their properties, were allegedly, secretly paying to safeguard their properties, thereby jeopardising efforts by local security.
He also lamented the hopelessness of the Orsu Local Government Council in the fight to reclaim Orsu from bandits.
“Beside the fact that the Council chairman is hardly seen anywhere near Orsu, as he resides in Owerri and carries on as if he is answerable to no one but the governor, the local government allocation that would have enabled us gain huge mileage in the fight to secure our homeland is nowhere to be seen, which is why every LGA needs a Chairman that emerged from the people, feels the pain of the people and will be willing to fight alongside the people to save lives and protect their homeland.
“Sadly in the face of this bloodcuddling calamity, you will find them nowhere near the people.
“All the same, no matter what they do or fail to do, we will fight on and we will recover our land. These bandits, whether they are IPOB, ESN or whatever, we promise them, they will not have the last laugh. Orsu will rise again.”
The Imo State police spokesman, Henry Okoye, confirmed the killings and said investigations are underway.
But Okoye couldn’t provide further update on the incident.
