Two Clashes In Four Months, Inside Imo Communities’ Reoccurring Clash With Soldiers
Imo state was in the news again recently for wrong reasons after Soldiers and suspected members of the Eastern Security Network clashed.
This became the second clash after Soldiers raided Umuocha, Ubomiri, in Mbaitolu Local Government Area, Imo State earlier in October. The attack on the community came after a Soldier was killed by hoodlums during the EndSARS protest. In suspected retaliation, the town was under siege with residents running away from the town out of fear and unaccounted for number of casualties after the attack.
Residents who spoke to EXCEL BREAKING NEWS under condition of anonymity noted that they had to flee their homes after the area became unlivable.
A resident who spoke to this platform confirmed the incident stating that Soldiers already took over the town as at the time of the incident in October and that he has had to seek refuge elsewhere. The Imo state government soon after declared a curfew to curb the clashes within the state which happened as a result of protest against Police brutality
Hoodlums attacked a police station in the area and killed at-least a Soldier in the process.
The attack also led to anger in the state especially from the force. In Mbaise road, residents were needed to raise their hands before walking on the expressway with police mounting several road blocks on the road causing palpable tension.
Other parts of the state also witnessed uncertainty with many persons calling for restraint.
On January 22, the Orlu community would not thought of the fate which befell them with massive reported shootings in the region. The incident was said to have been caused due to clash between the Eastern Security network and Nigerian Police and Army. Many Nigerians on social media and other non-Nigerians reacted to the incident and called for restrain in the country so crisis do not escalate to other parts of Imo state and the country.
The clash has reportedly led to burning of houses and destruction of properties’ in the zone which is home to the incumbent state governor Hope Uzodinma and President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof George Obiozor .
The crisis dates back to August 2020, when the Nigerian Police force personnel clashed with IPOB members . In September 2020, Two Soldiers were reportedly killed in Enugu.
The Eastern Security Network was established on December 12, 2020 after Nnamdi Kanu stated that the outfit was created to stop what he described as deadly Herders attack.
Reports by Nigerian media house, Vanguard newspaper revealed that about 8 buildings including a church, Blessed Holy Trinity Sabbath Mission, in Okporo, Orlu local government area were set ablaze .
Vanguard had reported “About 8 buildings were burnt and only one person was killed and the person was killed at the Market square”
“These security men came in their Hilux vehicles into the community and searched for these men as they did not see them they started shooting and caused tension in the community”
Nnamdi Kanu who is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra had also ordered the Eastern Security Network to ceasefire with the Nigerian Military and return to the forests. He calimed that his order came on the backdrop of same order by the Nigerian Army and Police to pull out of the Orlu region.
Residents who spoke to this media house as at the time of this report noted that molestation was still ongoing at the Orlu region ‘molested’ civilians and called on the state governor to intercede, although the Imo state Police officials denied such.
This is despite the fact that the governor declared curfew in the region (Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideato South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre local government , the curfew will run from 6pm to 6AM.
According to the government, “Innocent citizens were killed and maimed in the process” of clash at Orlu.
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode a former Minister of Aviation tweeted
“The clash between Soldiers and members of the ESN in Orlu, Imo state has resulted in some deaths and this is unfortunate”
“I call for restraint on both sides. The Soldiers ought to be deployed against killer herdsmen and not ESN. When will Buhari learn” he tweeted.
Another former Minister, Oby Ezekwesili said ;
“Can the @HQNigerianArmy and @DefenceInfoNG please communicate what is going on here in Orlu Town to the public”
“It certainly has the appearance of war scene. Is an entire town under combat operation from our military”
“Can the C-in-C let Nigerians know who ordered this operation” Oby Tweeted.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Imo state governor, Oguike Nwachukwu when contacted for comments on the continued development noted that he could not comment on the development as it is a state issue.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Godson while speaking to this media house noted that there is relative peace in Orlu area of Imo state, he noted that calm has been returned to the area. He admitted that some Police officers wrongly treated civilians but they have been disciplined. He denied knowledge of further molestation of civilians stating that noting of such existed.
The Nigerian government had outlawed the Eastern Security Network citing and Indigenous people of Biafra citing them as being against the laws of the country although this led to many reactions by stakeholders in the country.
