The devastating effects of the mayhem recently unleashed on residents of Uratta, in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, by officials of the Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO), who invaded Toronto Junction and its environs in what eyewitnesses described as a gestapo-style operation, are still being felt.
Many victims who either lost their breadwinners or suffered various degrees of injuries and property loss are yet to recover from the tragedy. One such family is that of the Ordus of Umuchima Umuoba, Uratta, whose son, Mr. Chukwudi Ordu, popularly known as Tyson, a 37-year-old enterprising young man, husband, and father of six, was shot and killed at close range – in his own compound, nearly a kilometre away from the scene of the rampage at Toronto Junction.
Following this incident, the Uratta Development Union (UDU), alongside the bereaved family, has commended the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri (FUTHO) – formerly known as the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) – for its efforts to save Mr. Ordu’s life, as well as the Imo State Police Command for its prompt issuance of a police report that enabled the hospital to begin emergency treatment.
The Union and family, however, are appealing to the Imo State Government, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and particularly the First Lady of Imo State, Barr. (Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma, renowned for her compassion toward the needy and vulnerable, to come to the aid of the 30-year-old widow, Mrs. Ijeoma Chukwudi Ordu, and her six children – including a seven-month-old baby who is still being breastfed.
Investigations by the Nigerian Watchdog Newspaper revealed that, contrary to ENTRACO officials’ claims in their bid to cover up the incident, some victims – including the late Chukwudi Ordu – were far from Toronto Junction when the shootings occurred.
Community sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, alleged that “ENTRACO officials invaded Toronto Junction and its environs in total disregard for law and order, behaving as though they were in a war zone. They broke into and looted shops, set up bonfires, and shot sporadically without concern for the safety of residents, motorists, or passersby.”
One of the sources recounted:“Late Chukwudi Ordu, who was murdered in his prime, was at home – more than a kilometre from the junction — when the ENTRACO officials, while terrorizing nearby villages, shot one of his elderly cousins. As the injured man ran toward their compound crying for help, Chukwudi rushed out to assist him and tried to close the gate to prevent the rampaging officials from entering. The ENTRACO operatives shot him at close range. The bullet pierced the gate and struck him in the ribs, fatally damaging his lungs. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he later died.”
When contacted, the President-General of the Uratta Development Union, Engr. (Chief) Stanley Ukaga (Dike Eji Aga Mba), who spoke alongside the deceased’s elder brother, Mr. Kingsley Ordu, and siblings Obinna and Nkeiru Ordu, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss.
Chief Ukaga thanked FUTHO for its efforts to save the young man and commended the Imo State Police Command for its quick response.
According to him:“It is unfortunate that late Chukwudi died heroically while trying to rescue his cousin, who had been shot by ENTRACO officials. The same officials shot him twice at close range, and the bullet that pierced through the gate also hit a lady inside the compound.”
Chief Ukaga further appealed to the Shared Prosperity Administration of Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Oyoko) to intervene and support the widow and her six children.“Although we cannot bring Chukwudi back, we appeal to our amiable Governor to graciously find a way to assist and empower his widow, Mrs. Ijeoma Ordu, to take care of herself and her children – all of whom are minors, including a seven-month-old baby. Their future is uncertain without help,” he said.
He also called on public-spirited individuals and organizations to extend assistance to the bereaved family.“This woman and her children are in dire need of support. Any form of empowerment will go a long way toward alleviating their suffering and giving them hope for the future,” he concluded.
