Following the reported invasion of the community and property devastation by security personnel believed to be soldiers, residents of Oriendu in Umualumaku Umueze in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area in Imo State are currently living in fear for their lives.
The individuals with guns broke into the village one day after killing and setting two patrol vehicles in the neighbourhood on fire on Tuesday, along with several soldiers, police officers, and members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
One of our correspondents was able to view a video that appeared to show the community’s property being destroyed, all the while the announcer claimed that armed officials were responsible for the incident.
Residents in the region were said to be terrified for their safety and to be protesting the burning of houses.
The resident who was on camera bemoaned that they were being penalised for something they had no knowledge of.
A video purports to show that the raging troops seeking punishment for their comrades destroyed a number of stores, buildings, homes, food stores, and pubs.
With only a few countable people whose properties were demolished visible, the tranquil village’s roadways appeared empty after the military supposedly caused terrible damage on the area.
The video showed numerous cartons of alcoholic beverages being burned, numerous prison stores being set on fire, and some stores having pots, dishes, and chairs being damaged as well.
Nigerians were urged by the narrator to recognise the harsh treatment their community was receiving.
In this community, we have suffered, he declared. What actions do they want us to take as a community? The fact that a crime was committed in this village does not imply that Ehime Mbano people were the perpetrators. It’s time for you guys to save the day. Shops, bars, event centres, and food vendors were all set on fire today by Nigerian military personnel.
Were they who set fire to their stores the ones who actually committed the crime? Leave us alone; things are not good in this community, and we are suffering. Folks are in tears, wondering, “What did we do?”
There were some indigenous people in the community who had run into the bush, the video’s narrator said.
The stores and other property that the soldiers destroyed belonged to innocent people who were unaware of Tuesday’s incident, according to a resident of Ehime Mbano who sells building materials in the neighbourhood.
“The destruction of some shops and drinking joints today in Ehime Mbano by soldiers is not necessary,” the local claimed, pleading for anonymity out of concern for their safety. Vendors of papayas lost their stores and tents.
Instead of burning merchant stores and buildings on fire, they ought to look into the matter, apprehend the individuals responsible for the soldiers’ deaths, and prosecute them.
The whole place is boiling, so I had to close and get out of there before anything went wrong. It’s concerning that there are so many soldiers on the road.
Following the horrific Tuesday murder of many security officers in the Umualumaku community in Imo State, the Nigerian Army has denied any involvement in any attack on or destruction of businesses, including bars and restaurants, in Ehime Mbano.
The 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Joseph Akubo, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, stated over the phone that he was not aware of any destruction caused by the troops of the force in the region.
Is it that the guys in uniform came to destroy? Let us confirm the nature of your request. Nothing similar that I am aware of. There hasn’t been any information reported about this.
“Sadly, people are bringing on whatever they want, but the military isn’t doing any operations there right now. You should talk to the Police PRO, I will advise.
Since the police are in charge of internal security, I believe you should talk to them. When discussing whatever is happening, they ought to be the ones talking.
The incident was also denied by Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information.
“I am not aware,” he stated when contacted by one of our correspondents.
The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to working across agencies to find the people responsible for the recent deaths of security personnel in Imo State, according to a statement made by Olukayode Egbetokun, the acting Inspector-General of Police.
The Nigeria Police would stop at nothing to ensure that the people guilty for the deaths are brought to justice, the Inspector General (IG) said in response to the devastating loss on Wednesday. The statement was sent through the Force’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
While expressing sympathy to the bereaved officers’ friends, families, and relatives, Egbetokun also asked anyone with pertinent knowledge about the tragedy to come forward with it so that the police may utilise it to enhance their investigation.
The Tuesday killing of security personnel in the state has been denounced by Imo State’s governor, Hope Uzodimma, and the Labour Party’s nominee for governor, Athan Achonu, ahead of the state’s governorship election on November 11.
Achonu and Uzodimma both made disgusting remarks about the killing in their own words.
