The Nigerian Army’s and Ebube Agu Local security alleged killings of civilians in Oguta and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas of Imo State have left families of the victims in a state of anguish and uncertainty, months after the incident.
It was gathered that many families are still searching for their missing relatives, who were allegedly taken away by soldiers during attacks of the two local governments.
One of the attacks, which occurred in November 7, 2022 in Izombe community area of Oguta LGA was said to have been carried out by soldiers in response to a clash between the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (ESN) and the Agwa Police Divisional headquarters in Oguta council.
Also, another attack was reported to have been carried out by the military in same November, 2022 in Ifakala, Orodo and others communities in the Mbaitoli LGA of the state.
The Nigerian Army has consistently denied any wrongdoing in these two attacks, claiming that the soldiers were responding to a distress calls.
It was, however, observed that the army’s account of the incidents has been disputed by eyewitnesses and some survivors of the attack.
Eyewitnesses and some survivors provided graphic details of the massacre, including the killing of civilians and the destruction of properties.
One of the leaders of the community, John Igbokwe, who decried the destruction of property in the Izombe community said, “They invaded our community on the claim that many of our youths are biafrans and they are against the government of the day.
“The Izombe villages that share boundaries with Agwa are Amakpuruedere and Amaudara both in Oboebor Autonomous Community. Umuokwu and Ugbele where the military operatives burnt some buildings and set vehicles ablaze are in Aborshi and Umunwama autonomous communities respectively.”
He decried the repeated invasion of the Izombe community and other neighboring villages by security operatives.
“It was also November last year that more than 150 buildings were completely burnt and destroyed in Umuokwu, Umuorji and Ndioko all in Aborshi Izombe by soldiers over dispute they had with village boys.
“Nothing has been done on the colossal damage innocent people suffered, and yet another attack is launched on the Izombe again,” he said.
It was learnt that more than 20 youths of the Izombe and Mbaitoli were allegedly taken away by the army officers that invaded these communities.
Those arrested and taken away by the military include, Chukwunonso Okereke, Nwabueze Ojike, Amarachi Ngwu, Chibuike Oguejiofor, Ifunanya Nwosu, Peter Anujuo, and Chidiebere Okechukwu
Others were Nnamdi Agha, Uchenna Okeke, Emmanuel Anujuo, Nkeiru Okoro, Chukwuemeka Nweke, Ifeoma Okoye, Eberechukwu Njoku, Chijioke Ogbuagu, Adaugo Nwachukwu, Ogechukwu Onwuka, Zikora Obinna, Chinwendu Udeh, and Nwando Omenka.
The leaders of these communities, however, lamented that the whereabout of the 20 youths arrested by the soldiers remain unknown.
They revealed that while five of the arrested youths reportedly escaped from the soldiers, 15 remained in detention for several months as several efforts to release them meet dead end.
The five youths suspected to have escaped the Army’s custody include two siblings identified as Peter Anujuo and Emmanuel Anujuo, alongside Zikora Obinna, Chibuike Oguejiofor, and Chijioke Ogbuagu.
It was gathered these men who escaped the Army’s custody have been declared wanted and shoot at sight.
Igbokwe lamented that despite the purported escape of the five men, they have refused to come back to their communities over an alleged fear of further illegal arrest, and intimidation from the miliary men.
He also said many of the youths in Izombe and Mbaitoli communities have abandoned there homes over the consistent attack on them with the claim that they are are terrorists.
“Many of our youths have been regarded as terrorist here. They said because we are fighting for a Biafra republic, we deserved to die.
“Our youths are been brutalized in any slight opportunity the miliary get, they oppress us and it is becoming unbearable for us,” he lamented.
Attacks on people of Izombe, Mbaitoli and other border areas in Imo State has become a lingering crisis that happened almost every six months.
It was gathered that the military keep invading these communities on the claim of either looking for oil bunkers or biafrans who were now tagged as terrorists.
Recalled that a brutal killings of six residents by soldiers also occurred in Nwaorieubi and Mbaitoli communities.
The tragic incident occurred on October 21, 2020, during the #EndSARS protests, when armed soldiers of the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army stormed the area in what locals believe was a reprisal attack following the killing of police officers and soldiers by unknown hoodlums.
The soldier chanting war songs and proclaiming that the life of one soldier was equal to 40 civilians, reportedly unleashed terror on the residents, killing and injuring several people, mostly women, young men, and children.
Witnesses recounted horrifying scenes of soldiers firing indiscriminately at civilians, leaving a trail of bloodshed in their wake.
Among the dead were 21-year-old Chiedozie Onwumere and his cousin, Chisom Onyeagubo, both shot at close range. Others murdered in the rampage included Godwin Agomuo, a director at the Imo State Universal Basic Education Board, and several others, while many were left with life-threatening injuries.
Also, in 2021, troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Owerri, invaded the oil-producing villages of Eziorsu, Osobodo and Umuokwu in Izombe, leaving scores dead.
It was reported that over 80 houses were razed to the ground, and 15 vehicles and 25 motorcycles were destroyed.
Our correspondent learnt that the villagers had no option other than to flee their homes to neighbouring communities and bushes seeking refuge.
Meanwhile, as the families of the missing relatives continue to search for their loved ones, they are calling on the government to take action to find their relatives and bring them back home.
The uncle of Paul and Emmanuel Anujuo, PA James Anujuo lamented that efforts to get their whereabout of his brother’s children that reportedly from the Army’s custody has not yielded any positive response.
He said, “We have searched everywhere for our sons, but we have not seen them. I am sure they went into hiding because their names are still on wanted list.
“Many youths that have opportunity of escaping the oppression we get here used to leave and never come back. Because if they try to, they may end up dead.”
The family of Amarachi Ngwu lamented that the lost of their 30-year-old daughter has been traumatic for them.
Amarachi’s mother, Josephine said she has been living in agony since the attack.
“I have not slept since my daughter went missing. I am begging the government to help me find my daughter and bring her back to me.
“We are not asking for much. We just want our relatives back. We want to know what happened to them and where they are,” she stated.
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