Bandits behead Imo lawmaker’s guard, raze houses

Youths deplore Ohafia massacre, alert international community

Tragedy struck in Imo State yesterday, as gunmen invaded the ancestral home of the House of Assembly member representing Orsu Constituency, Ekene Nnodumele, and beheaded the security guard.

Before departing, the hoodlums also razed the lawmaker’s house, destroying properties including vehicles within the premises. Nnodumele hails from Ebenato, Awo Idemili, in Orsu Local Council.

Also, the bandits reportedly torched the ancestral home of the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Akaolisa, in the area.

Confirming the incident, a special assistant to the lawmaker, Mr. A. Nwadikwa, said the hoodlums heavily shot sporadically in the area for hours during the attack, causing much panic to locals and residents.

When contacted, Nnodumele expressed shock over the incident and described the attack as undeserved, uncalled for and worrisome. He said: “It was a very shocking news to me. I least expected it because I know that my constituents are not violent people, and taking of life is not in our culture. I believe it is handiwork of mercenaries.

“I don’t think I have any altercation with any of my constituents to warrant the attack. So I leave everything to God. I think I have represented Orsu effectively.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bala Elkana, said the command was yet to be briefed on the incidents.
HOWEVER, the youth wing of Abia State Town Unions Association (ASTUA) has condemned the massacre of Amangwu Ohafia people and destruction of their valuables.

Through their leader, Chima Okorie, the youths demanded the prosecution of the Commandant of Goodluck Jonathan Barracks, Ohafia, to serve as a deterrent to other security personnel with ethnic cleansing mindset.

They further called on the Federal Government to withdraw the troops from the state and send them back to the barracks, stressing that in a democratic setting, the unleashing of soldiers on unarmed civilians “is against the constitution.”

He admonished Abia youths to be law-abiding.

ALSO, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has put the international community on the alert about intimidation, killing and harassment of Ohafia residents by military officers in the guise of fishing out unknown gunmen.

They alleged that vehicles and houses belonging to innocent persons at Amangwu–Ohafia had been burnt, as the officials continued to move from one house to another, breaking doors and dragging out people and dealing with them.

In a statement yesterday in Enugu, signed by the President General, Goodluck Ibem, and Secretary General, Kanice Igwe, COSEYL wondered why soldiers could resort to attacking helpless residents, even when the military high command had clarified that none of its officials died in the recent clashes with bandits.