– As Wedding, Burial Ceremonies Attract Taxes, Levies
– Killings, Kidnappings Now Rampant
Ezioha community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, barley 15 minutes drive from Owerri, the Imo State capital seems to have been taken over by gunmen, hoodlums, kidnappers and other shady characters who have for sometime now wreaked havoc on residents who have given up hope considering the inability of the state government and security agencies to come to their rescue.
The situation is said to have taken a more worrisome dimension as the dare devil gunmen who operate with impunity have resorted to imposing taxes and levies which locals must pay before they are allowed to organize wedding and burial ceremonies, among others.
Some of the residents who commented on the frightening situation said that the government’s insensitive and nonchalant attitude to their plight simply means that they have become sacrificial lambs that have been abandoned to their fate.
Investigation reveals that Ezioha, a small community that can be accessed through the Onitsha-Owerri road by Ukwuorji and through Orlu road by Umuaka (Njaba) has become a preferred location as hideout for the criminals because of its thick forest, rough and steep landscape that lead to their terror camps. Hence the need for urgent intervention by relevant authorities to end the prevailing nightmare.
While speaking, some residents who pleaded anonymity said, “This is considered a slap on the state government and an assault on the territorial sovereignty of Imo state.
From testimonies of locals, these gunmen have well structured organogram and operational modality. They have shown an appreciable level of expertise in weaponry, production and deployment of Improvised Explosive Device (IED), while still keeping their arms supply network secret from the prying eyes of security forces.
They are also adept at using technology. Just like CCTV cameras were recovered from the Mother Valley of Orsu, security forces have also at different occasions recovered some solar-powered CCTVs mounted in the forest camp by the gunmen, which helps them monitor the movement of troops during any operation.
These gunmen were the same terror elements that ambushed and killed four vigilante operatives in Umuaka last year. They are the same band of gunmen who had attacked the Njaba Police Division in Umuaka on four separate occasions with heavy fire power.
It all points to the fact that overrunning the Police Division in Umuaka is vital to their overall sinister plan for the area. Except for the unusual resilience of the operatives of the Division, the Njaba Police Division would have fallen long ago with the waves of attacks on it by these criminals.
The implications would have been terrible and far-reaching for residents and road-users as the Orlu-Owerri road axis would have become a deadly flashpoint where gunmen would operate freely unchallenged.
The negative impact it would have had on the Afor Umuaka market would have been unspeakable. This is why everything and anything that can be done to root out these killers from Ezioha and surrounding communities must be done expeditiously.
The gunmen have turned entire communities into their personal fiefdoms, imposing illegal taxes and levies on weddings, burials, and businesses. Private CCTV cameras meant to provide security are destroyed, and owners fined ₦500,000 for daring to install them.
All the farmlands along the Njaba River bank have been taken over by these gunmen; with community markets deserted, churches and schools abandoned.
Traditional rulers have fled their palaces, leaving their people rudderless.
Worse still, young girls are forced into marriages or sexual slavery, with those who resist paying the ultimate price. Parents, in desperation, have sent their family especially their daughters away to safety.
– Sam White, President General of Umuele community, was abducted since last year and is feared dead.
– Uchenna Eguzozie (Mobutu) from Amakor was abducted on June 10, 2024, and remains missing.
– Anayo Aguocha, a leader in Uba community, was dragged from his home on May 15, 2023, and has not been seen since.
– Kelechi Iwunnakwe (Agbarusia) was abducted and later executed.
– The former manager of Imo Travels Motor Company in Umuaka was murdered for daring to speak against armed criminals. He was quoted as saying, “We shouldn’t tolerate hoodlums wielding AK-47 at our backyard”.
– Chief Akuwara, an elderly community leader in Umuele, was killed for advising against the ills of banditry in a village meeting.
– A police constabulary from Isiozi, Umuaka, was kidnapped at Ukwuorji and slaughtered.
– A police officer and his wife, traveling from Ideato to Egbema, were seized just about three weeks ago – vanished without a trace.
– Police officer Nwachukwu, attached to Umuaka Division, was abducted in May 2023 while returning from duty. Nwachukwu is feared dead as nothing has been heard of him.
– Abah James Sunny, driver to a traditional ruler, was taken on May 31, 2024, while on an errand for his boss. He is still missing”.
– Charley Igwebuike of Obeakpu was shot dead, his vehicle stolen after gunmen attacked Njaba Police Division.
– Ifeanyi Samuel Ogbonnaya (Feel At Home) from Ibele Umuaka was abducted and executed.
– Ifeanyi Agwudire from Amakor was abducted, his fate unknown.
– DJ Sharp from Umuele was kidnapped and is feared dead.
Needless to add that 63-year old Mr. Marcel Nwawuba, a retired Police officer was also shot and killed by these hoodlums. He was buried on the 11th of April, 2025.
In March, these gunmen stormed the burial of an aged woman, Mrs. Eunice Mgbengasha Okoro and opened fire on mourners. The burial was disrupted, as mourners fled in different directions. In that attack, three persons were shot dead including two grandchildren of the deceased.
The list of atrocities visited on the people living in this area is almost endless”.
