By NewsBits
Exactly one year after, victims of October 8, 2021, army invasion of Izombe Community, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo have made a passionate call to the state Governor Hope Uzodinma to step action towards ameliorating their plights.
NewsBits recalls that some security operatives led by soldiers invaded Umuokwu, Umuorji and Ndioko communities all in Aborshi Izombe Autonomous Community on October 8, 2021, and destroyed more than 100 buildings as result of misunderstanding between some youths and soldiers.
Also remember that the incident, which claimed four lives – two soldiers and two civilians – resulted from misunderstanding over sharing of toll collection from oil bunkers. The Community declared a week prayer and fasting beginning from October 2 to October 8 to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy.
Mr Oguwuike Okorie, The President Umuokwu Youth Association, Mr. Oguwuike Okorie, who spoke on Saturday in Izombe, explained that the prayer and fasting was to seek divine intervention in the continued plights of the victims of the invasion one year after. Okorie said: “It is public knowledge the level of destruction suffered by our people last year when the security operatives invaded Umuokwu, Umuorji and Ndioko communities.
“Many buildings, vehicles, motorcycles, and other properties were damaged leaving scores of the victims homeless. Since the unfortunate situation, almost 100 per cent of the victims are still homeless because they are poor and vulnerable individuals who are struggling to feed. The painful aspect is that these people knew nothing about the issue that resulted to the problem.”
Okorie noted that it was for these preliminary findings that Gov. Uzodinma after visiting the community ordered the distribution of relief materials to the victims and later set up judicial panel of enquiry on the matter.
“The panel recently submitted its report to the governor, while the government is yet to come up with a White Paper on the panel report.
“While we use this medium to thank the governor for his demonstration of love for the community over the unfortunate incident, we appeal that he step up action towards rebuilding of the houses as the victims are in serious agony.”
Okorie said that some victims of the attack are now down with high blood pressure even as some who sustained injuries were either dead or in critical condition.
According to the youth leader, an action by the state government could help alleviate the pains of the victims. Meanwhile, some churches in Izombe held special services to mark the anniversary and prayed against a repeat of such disaster in the community.
