Imo killings: Soldiers destroy buildings, residents escape for their lives

Residents of Oriendu in Umualumaku Umueze, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State, are currently living in fear for their lives as a result of security personnel—possibly soldiers—allegedly invading the community and destroying property.

One day prior to the armed men’s incursion into the hamlet, on Tuesday, a group of gunmen had shot and killed soldiers, police officers, and members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, setting two patrol vehicles in the community on fire.

While the narrator claimed that the armed officials were responsible for the destruction of property in the village, one of our correspondents was able to view a video of the incident.

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It was learned that the locals were protesting the burning of houses and were currently living in constant fear for their lives.
Speaking on camera, one of the residents bemoaned that they were being penalised for something they had no knowledge of.

In an apparent video, a number of stores, structures, homes, restaurants, and pubs were purportedly destroyed by raging soldiers who were seeking retribution for their comrades.

After the military had caused terrible havoc on the town, the tranquil village’s roadways appeared desolate, with only a few countable inhabitants whose properties were damaged visible.

Countless cartons of alcoholic beverages were destroyed, multiple prison businesses were set on fire, and some shops with pots, dishes, and chairs were also destroyed, as could be seen from the film.

The narrator urged Nigerians to recognise the harsh treatment that the community is receiving.

We have suffered in this community, he continued. What are they hoping we will accomplish as a community? It is not a given that Ehime Mbano people are the ones who committed the crime that occurred in this neighbourhood. It’s up to you guys to save us. These days, Nigerian military personnel set fire to stores, pubs, event centres, and food vendors.

“Were the individuals who demolished their stores the ones who carried out the crime? Please, leave this village alone; things are not good here, and we are suffering. Many are in tears and inquiring, “What did we do?”

Several of the community’s indigenous people had escaped into the bush, the video’s narrator said.

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According to a local Ehime Mbano resident who sells building supplies, the stores and other items that the military burned belonged to defenceless individuals who were unaware of Tuesday’s events.

The homeowner, who begged to remain anonymous out of concern for their safety, stated, “It is not necessary for soldiers to destroy several stores and bars in Ehime Mbano today. Papa vendors’ tents and stores were demolished.

“Instead of going around burning merchant stores and buildings on fire, they should look into it, arrest the people responsible for the troops’ deaths, and prosecute them.

“I had to close my shop and leave to avoid a problem because the entire place is boiling.” It is unsettling to see so many military on the road.

In the meantime, the Nigerian Army has denied any involvement in any attack or destruction of businesses in Ehime Mbano, Imo State, including restaurants and bars, in the wake of the horrifically murderous deaths of many security officers in the Umualumaku community on Tuesday.

In a phone interview, Joseph Akubo, the Assistant Director of the Army Public Relations Officer at the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, stated that he was not aware of any destruction caused by the soldiers in the region.

Is the purpose of the military guys to destroy? Let us clarify what you are requesting. I haven’t heard of anything comparable. Nothing connected to this has been reported to us.

“Unfortunately, everyone is bringing on whatever they want, but there are currently no military actions going on there. I’m going to advise you to talk to the Police PRO.

You ought to talk to the police, I believe, as they are in charge of internal security. They ought to be the ones discussing whatever is going on.

Furthermore, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, stated that he was unaware of the occurrence.

When contacted by one of our correspondents, he replied, “I don’t know.”

In related news, Olukayode Egbetokun, the acting Inspector-General of Police, declared that the Nigeria Police Force was dedicated to working across agencies to find the people responsible for the tragic deaths of security personnel in Imo State.

Through a statement from the Force’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Inspector General (IG) responded to the tragic loss on Wednesday by saying that the Nigeria Police would stop at nothing to ensure that the people guilty for the killings were brought to justice.

Egbetokun expressed sympathy to the friends, families, and loved ones of the fallen officers, but he also asked anyone with information that could help the police with their investigation to come forward and report it.

Athan Achonu, the Labour Party’s nominee for governor of Imo State in the upcoming election scheduled for November 11, and Hope Uzodimma, the state’s governor, have both denounced the death of security personnel in the state on Tuesday.

Uzodimma and Achonu both called the killing disgusting in their own words.