Imo: New Group Of Gunmen Emerge; Target The Rich; Render Akolisa, Justice Commissioner Homeless

By Charles Igbo

“Other ungodly acts are the sacking of all the Police presence and armour in Orsu LGA, the kidnapping and killing of well-to-do individuals and security operatives. Today, these gunmen have continued to demand huge sums of money from mourning families who wish to bury their loved ones”

A new dangerous group of  gunmen have emerged in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, wreaking havoc. The LGA has been reduced to a no-go-area.

The new group codenamed Umu Oma, according to Mr Cyprian Akaolisa, Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, has made life hell for people as they kidnap, extort, kill and even engage in cannibalism.

“Today, these gunmen, codenamed Umu Oma, under the guise of freedom fighters, have continued to demand huge sums of money from mourning families who wish to bury their loved ones and the likes. These gunmen have almost made a god of themselves killing and cannibalising at will.”

This  tragic situation was made public by Akaolisa, whose country home and, that of his aged father were completely razed down by gunmen Sunday, April 10, 2022. The Commissioner is from Obibi Awo Idemili, Orsu LGA.

Before they set the compound on fire, Akaolisa said, they first stripped the houses of every available property – television sets, fridges, mattresses, etc.

The people are helpless, as according to the Commissioner, they have sacked and carted away all Police presence. They have also embarked on the killing  of rich men in the area.

This is the second time Akaolisa’s country home will be razed down within one year. In 2021, a part of his country home was razed down. But on Sunday, the gunmen, completely, not only razed down his house, but that of his father. And his questions: What did I do? What did my father do? He said the gunmen have “enablers and cheerers”. And submitted that “It is time for soul searching.”

Last week, the country home of the Imo State  Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Ford Ozumba, was razed down. Before Ozumba, that of Declan Mbadiwe, the Commissioner for Information was the target. And, recently too, the country home of the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, was razed down, among other victims. All come from Imo West (Orlu zone) where both Governor Hope Uzodimma and his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha hail from.

Following, is the statement released by Akaolisa on the tragedy that befell him.

“The Igbos are hardworking people who through their years of toils put up structures and leave developmental strides in their communities of Origin maka “akụ ruo ụlọ, a mara onye nwe ya.

“Through my many years of struggle, I have managed to put a block on another to build a befitting house for my family. My aged father also has a house he built through his sweats.

“Today, both buildings are in rubbles and ashes – our fellow Igbos burnt them.

“Firstly, last year, these arsonists burnt my country home in Obibi, Awo-Idemili, Orsu LGA of Imo State for no just cause.

“This year again, they returned and this time, they perfected the complete burning of even the blocks/bricks.

“And last night, to my utter consternation, they levelled my father’s house. This is a house my father built by himself – the life-toil of an aged man.

“In other words, I wish to put on record that my family house is completely destroyed. This was after they used a truck to cart all the properties: fridges TVs, bed/foams, generator sets and other household materials.

“What are my crimes, who did I offend? And what were my father’s offences?

“And I dare ask, where is the Igbo spirit? This is a direct affront to the akụ ruo ụlọ spirit. Who will invest in Ala Igbo nay Orsu LGA today under this type of atmosphere?

“The above are acts of arson ongoing in my LGA of Orsu. The complete burning of our LGA Secretariat, the house of my colleague – Chief Prince Ford Ozumba, the Hon Commissioner, Imo State Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity, the house of Hon. Ekene Nnodumele, the member representing Orsu State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly. There are also houses of other political leaders which have been razed in my area so far.

“Other ungodly acts are the sacking and carting away of all the Police presence & armouries in Orsu LGA, the kidnapping and killing of well-to-do individuals and security operatives. This attendant scare has become a daily phenomenon in my Local Government Area.

“Today, these gunmen (Codenamed Ụmụ Ọma, under the guise of freedom fighters) have continued to demand huge sums of money from mourning families who wish to bury their loved ones and the likes. It is now strictly business! These gunmen have almost made a god of themselves, killing and carniballising at will, in my area but believe me, they will not succeed with our voices up and collaborative efforts.

“Where is the Igbo spirit, ụmụnne m? It is unfortunate that the majority of those who foment these troubles are not indigenous to Orsu but have garnered collaborators and enablers among the locals either through fear, persuasion, financial inducements and made to swear to devilish oaths of secrecy.

“It is time to synergize and put an end to the siege in Orsu LGA and liberate our people who are worse hit by the economic downturn occasioned by the ravaging insecurity. For the enablers and cheerers, It is time for the needed retrospect, soul-searching to interrogate the process so far by weighing the gains and loses.”

The Imo State Police Command has not made any statement on Commissioner Akaolisa’s fate, or the existence of the new group.