Imo: As Orlu Economy Continues To Nose-Dive, Six Persons Were Reportedly killed As Soldiers, Ebubeagu Raid Orlu Community

It is no secret that Orlu zone has lost its industry and enterprise since the outbreak of security challenges with no known cause as a result of the mismanagement of the situation.

The zone literarily deserted with 80% of the businesses already shut while there is exodus its residents towards Owerri while many others have also fled to the South West for safety and to also earn a living.

Communities that are badly hit by the downturn of event are Orlu, Orsu, Oru-East, Oru-West, Njaba with its contagious effect on Ideato North, Ideato South, Nkwere.

The matter became more worrisome after the discovery of cannibalism in Orsu local government area of the state. Those gory photos and videos that were released told a story of dire situation of backwardness.

What is not know is whether the act of cannibalism is as a result of hunger occasioned by blockade or for fetish or diabolical reasons.

The only certainty in the zone is uncertainty as every face looks gloomy as people have totally lost confidence in the government.

the story of the gruesome murder of two traditional rulers from Okwudor on October 19, 2021 under a questionable circumstance is worrisome. The victims were Eze E. Duruebere of Okwudor autonomous community and Eze Sampson Osunwa of Ihebinowerre autonomous community, both in Njaba. It was alleged that while the police Officers under the Rapid response Squad were pleaded to by the Chairman of the Njaba local government since their meeting was still ongoing. No sooner had they police officers left than the shooting gang from the pit of hell struck. Today, that matter has been swept under the carpet as the dead were asked to bury their dead.

Again, a traditional ruler from Atta-Njaba, Eze Edwin Azike was kidnapped, murdered and dumped at a market square. That one may have also become one of the crimes that the perpetrators may never be found.

Blood letting is the order of the day in the zone. As it stands, everyone is a target as stray bullets have not sensor to dictate an innocent person.

Again, six people were reportedly killed and one other injured as a combined team of soldiers and operatives of the Ebubeagu security outfit raided Umutanzi in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.

According to reports, invaders stormed the rural community at about 4 am on Thursday morning, shooting sporadically.

The shooting led to panic as residents who were just waking up ran out of their houses and jumped into the bushes, as some sustained multiple injuries in the process.

Many doors and windows were shattered as security agents were said to have shot directly at them.

A resident and pastor of a local church, Pastor Anthony Akatta, told our correspondent that the invaders laid siege to the community for more than seven hours.

He said they later left with some youth who are still unaccounted for.

He said: “It was around 4am yesterday (Thursday) that Ebubeagu  and some military personnel came to our village umutanzi in orlu local government area of Imo State.

“They  blocked every road that leads to that community  and they killed six people and one got  injured and they took away some youths, and we don’t know their whereabouts.

“They shot at doors, glasses and cars that were packed inside a home and by 11:00 am they left the village while shooting gun,” he said.

Police  Spokesman, CSP Mike Abattam, could not be reached for comments.

Spokesperson of the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Capt Joseph Akubo, confirmed the raid.

Akubo said that soldiers were not involved in the incident, but the operation was carried out by operatives of the Department of Security Service.

“I heard of the incident, but soldiers were not involved. It  was the men of DSS. You can call them and confirm,” he said.

There have been clashes between security agencies and local communities in Orlu and Orsu said to be strongholds of men of the Eastern Security Network, military wing of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB.

A lot of youth have been abducted and many more killed since the invasion started early this year when the state government invited the military to checkmate them.

Imo people are calling for investigation into most of the killings as most families whose innocent relations were murdered still nurse painful wounds.