…Offers Support To Terrified Victims
Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the federal lawmaker representing Ideato North/South, cut short his committee duties in Abuja this weekend to confront the devastating aftermath of recent brutal killings in his constituency.
His visit to Umuolaoma and Arondizuogu revealed communities paralyzed by fear and in deep grief.
Arriving in the villages now largely deserted, Hon. Ugochinyere encountered terror firsthand.
At his first stop in Umuolaoma, the sight of his team sent the very family he came to console fleeing in panic. It took persistent, reassuring pleas before they cautiously emerged from hiding at the back of their building. This explains the traumatising terror they experienced.
The impact of the massacre was clearly etched into the landscape. At Nkwo Umuolaoma market, the scene of horrific violence, silence had replaced the usual bustling market atmosphere. The market was shut down. Most shops, especially those attacked, displayed palm fronds – a traditional Igbo symbol of to mark the tragedy.
The only sign of life was a profoundly distressing sight: an aunt, clearly in pains, washing the blood of her young niece, a tailor, off the floor of the tailor’s shop where the girl was shot dead.
Overwhelmed, she pointed Hon. Ugochinyere to their home, where a simple, fresh mound of grave covered the young woman’s remains.
Everywhere the lawmaker went, the evidence of the tragedy was visible in the form of fresh graves.
“This horrific act is abominable and the pain runs deep,” Hon. Ugochinyere told the grieving families, his voice heavy. “Please, find strength in this darkness to bear this pain. We stand with you.” He acknowledged their terror, saying simply, “We understand your fears and what you have undergone so far.”
Turning to action, the lawmaker delivered a strong message to security agencies: “You must do more. Redouble your efforts immediately. Protect our people.” He demanded justice emphatically: “These killers must be found. They must face the full punishment of the law. Ideato demands nothing less.”
Recognizing the desperate need of bereaved families, he appealed directly to the State and Federal Governments: “Intervene now. These families, robbed of their loved ones in such a brutal way, need urgent humanitarian support. Their suffering cannot wait.”
For long-term safety, Hon. Ugochinyere called for concrete support: “It’s time to empower our community vigilantes properly. With funding and backing, these local defenders are our best hope to protect our villages and prevent this tragedy from happening again.”
Ikenga expressed worry that he is not just comfortable leaving behind communities still trembling, desperately needing justice, aid, and the reassurance of safety in their daily lives.
He observed with regret that inspite of the slaughter in the area, there was still no sign of security structure or presence in the area to forestall a repeat of the dastardly act, and therefore called the State and local government to rise to the occasion and implement deterrent measures in the communities.
