Many Feared Dead In Imo As Youths Clash With Military Officers

By Sampson Uhuegbu, Owerri

Over twenty houses at Umuokwu village, Aborshi Autonomous Community, Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, have been razed following a crisis that spiked up between some youths of the area and Soldiers.

Two military officers, murdered; while over Ten civilians were killed during the gun duel with some youths. Twenty houses burnt, including Palace of the Traditional ruler of Aboshi community, Eze Pius Muforo, was also razed razed.

It was gathered, that there was an issue between two factions of the boys involved in Oil deals at the community resulting in one of the faction inviting the military against the other group.

An eyewitness who gave his name as Charles Nwankwo, said, the army Officers, upon arrival at the scene in the community, allegedly ordered the boys from the opposition faction to lie down. The source said, they began to torture the boys. Suddenly, one of the boys undergoing the military turture got up and started running in a bid to escape from the manhandling which resulting in one of the Soldiers shooting at him and he died instantly.

“The Soldiers regrouped and stormed Izombe burning down houses as the residents of the community ran away. Again, after the incident in the morning, the military returned to Izombe this evening apparently to carry out another round of represial attack; but this time Maj Gen Kalu Egwuagu (Rtd), an Indegene of our community intervened and stopped the Soldiers from carrying out further attacks here”, Nwankwo said.

Another indigene who pleaded anonymity, said, the damage caused was one too many. Saying that lives lost are irredeemable.

She pleaded with youths of the Community and Military officers to shealth swords, and therefore called on the Military commander to withdraw their men and stop them from carrying out further mayhem in their community.

Efforts made to reach reach the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO of the Imo Command and the Military Officer in the State, proved abortive as their lines were not going through at the time of filing this news reports.