From Tony Adibe, Enugu
At about three weeks after some gunmen shot dead the President-General of Oruku Town Union in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Chief Linus Nwatu, another native of the community has been murdered.
We gathered that the latest victim was identified as Mr. Chikodili Ngwu from Ameke village in the troubled Oruku community.
Ngwu, a middle-aged man is said to be the ninth on the list of indigenes of the community so far killed by gunmen believed to be working for some powerful personalities involved in the prolonged communal crisis.
Sources said that the victim was gunned down at about 8:00a.m. on Sunday by yet to be identified assailants within the Oruku market square. More details could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, although it was learnt that the gunmen fled the scene after the gunshot, thereby causing panic among the residents.
It was learnt that the incessant killings in Oruku have forced many residents to relocate their families to neighbouring communities and towns such as Idodo, Akpoga, Onuogba and Emene.
NewsBits further gathered that the natives are more worried by the inability of the Enugu State government and security agencies to bring those behind the bloodletting to justice. Earlier reports said some of the suspects apprehended in connection with past attacks were released without trial, a development that has heightened insecurity in the area.
The SouthernExaminer reports that the President-General of the town, Chief Nwatu, a retired police officer, was shot dead in the early hours of Saturday, August 20, 2022, by the rampaging gunmen at his residence in Oruku.
Before then, seven other indigenes of the community including the traditional ruler, Igwe Emmanuel Mba were brutally murdered at different times from year 2020 to 2022.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Daniel Ndukwe, when contacted, said he was yet to be briefed about the development, promising to get back after contacting relevant officers in-charge of the area.
