Even protests by the people of Izombie in Oguta Local Government Area Of Imo State weeks ago after stay bullet from Ebubeagu Milita hit and killed a youth in that community could not end the outrageous carnage in Oguta communities which continues.
On Saturday’s incidents, the affected communities were Agwa and Izombie.
Weeks ago, there was a pandemoium at Umuajioma village in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, when a youth from the area hit by a stray bullet from the Ebubeagu security outfit.
A community leader from Umunganike, a neighbouring village to Umuajioma who do not want his name mentioned narrated that the incident which occurred at about 9 am saw the youths in large numbers, protesting against the presence of the Ebubeagu outfit in their locality.
According to the source,the Divisional police at Ogbuide road was said to have intervened and calmed the situation. But the angry youths we gathered later started hauling stones and chanting “We don’t want Ebubeagu in our community”.
IEbubeagu in an effort to defend themselves from the rampaging youths shot sporadically in the air and in the process, a stray bullet was said to have hit one of the youths who died while some were wounded.
“What you saw in the video is true,Ebubeagu came through across the Oguta lake,some boys tried to stop them ,they were saying they don’t want Ebubeagu in Oguta.
“The DPO from Ogbuide road tried to calm the situation, but the youths continued protesting outside the station,they were advancing at them when they started shooting to scare them away and in the process the boy was hit by a stray bullet,it was not intentional”. The source narrated.
There was a viral video of the incident where the youths were chasing after the Ebubeagu outfit.
GUNMEN AT NIGHT
Tension continues to mount in Oguta following the killing of no fewer than four policemen on Friday night, when armed assailants attacked the Agwa Police Division in Oguta Council Area of Imo state.
Vehicles at the division at the time of the attack including that of the Divisional Police Officer were all set ablaze by the attackers.
There are indications also that the gunmen also broke into the home of a resident simply identified as Ejike, killed him and shot his wife before disappearing into the night.
A community source said “We heard sound of gunfire last night but it was this morning that we heard what really happened, that the Agwa Divisional Police headquarters was attacked. Four policemen were killed. Two male officers were shot dead alongside two female officers.
“Part of the Police building where the female officers were, was burnt and the female officers died in the process. They also went to the house of a commercial motorcycle operator known as Ejike, shot him dead. They also shot his wife but she is alive.”
Other sources confirmed that the entire community is currently pervaded by tension and apprehension with security operative swarming all over the community.
EBUBEAGU REVENGED IN THE MORNING
At least ten persons sustained gun and machete cut injuries with seven vehicles burnt when Ebubeagu Milita invaded Izombe community in Oguta area of Imo on Saturday August 6.
The heavily armed men equally destroyed and set ablaze about four buildings and 18 fully stocked shops located in the commercial communities of Umuokwu and Ugbele Izombe respectively.
Mr Sampson Uka, a victim told reporters on Saturday in Izombe that he was in the house with his children when suddenly the team stormed into his compound.
“I was inside the room when I started hearing gun shots and violent noise at the shops section of our compound.
“My wife even saw the heavily armed security operatives and they pointed gun at her and ordered her to get inside.
“When their noise became less, we came out, and noticed that the shops section of our house were destroyed with seven vehicles burnt in Ugbele village alone,” he said.
Uka equally said that one Ethelbert Ozor, Simeon Onyekador, plus six others sustained gun and machete cuts injuries inflicted on them by the group in Ugbele.
A Community leader, Pauly Igbokwe decried the repeated invasion of Izombe Community by Government Security Operatives.
“It was in October last year that more than 150 buildings were completely burnt and destroyed in Umuokwu, Umuorji and Ndioko all in Aborshi Izombe by soldiers over dispute they had with village boys.
“Nothing has been done on the colossal damage Innocent people suffered, and yet another attack is launched on the Izombe again,” he said.
Igbokwe said that they were still at the first Saturday combined Mass of Catholic Men Organisation and Catholic Women Organisation at Holy Family Catholic Church Izombe when they received calls on the attack.
“We were at mass with Anuli Nzeocha, a young widow, when she was informed that security operatives had set her shop on fire, people including the priest helped to calm her down,” he said.
Igbokwe appealed to the state government to look into repeated incidents of mass destruction of innocent people’s houses in Izombe and put a stop to it.
Others who spoke among them; Kelechi Ozor, Ifeanyi Osondu and Ndukwe Chidi expressed worries over the level of destruction being masterminded by security operatives and called on Gov. Hope Uzodinma to put a stop to the ugly development.
They advised government to thoroughly scrutinized intelligence gathered and track people suspected to be involved in a crime and pick them up rather than destroy innocent people’s houses.
POLICE ACCUSE IPOB
MEANWHILE, Imo State Police command has accused the Proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) of invading Agwa police station in Oguta Local Government Area of the State.
In a statement by Imo Police Public Relations Officer, Mike Abattam said that two suspects escaped from custody in the attack.
According to Abattam, ”
On 05/8/2022 at about 2300 hours , hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) attacked Agwa Police Station in their numbers.
“The hoodlums who came in two vehicles and a tipper , shooting sporadically, used a tipper vehicle in forcing the gate open to gain entrance into the station, throwing Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDS) and petrol bombs .
“The police operatives of the division joined by the Command’s Tactical Teams gave the hoodlums a stiff resistance, engaging them in a gun duel. The hoodlums who were fatally hit with alot of casualty on their side, retreated, escaping in their vehicles.
“The fire which affected a parked private car and some motorcycles was later put off, preventing it from causing more damages. Fortunately, the building was not affected . In the attack, two suspects in custody escaped, four police officers gallantly paid the supreme price, while one rifle is yet to be recovered .
The Imo Police PRO stated that the area have been fortified with enough police operatives .
“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde) , who went to the scene on confidence building patrol and on the spot accessement of the incident, visited the Eze of the Community, HRH Eze (Dr) I. O Asor (fcin) in his Palace where he assured him and members his community of the Command’s commitment in ensuring that peace is restored and the Command will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators of this dastardly act are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. He then enjoined them to report any person seen treating bullet wounds or hiding within their communities to the nearest police station or call the Command’s emergency control room numbers 08034773600 or 08098880197”.
