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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Natives and residents of Amangwu Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State have alleged mass killing of indigenes, especially their young men by soldiers searching for a missing staff sergeant.
Most residents said they now live in fear following the invasion of the community by soldiers who, ordinarily, should be protecting them.
On November 2, the community was invaded by soldiers from the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, over an alleged missing of the staff sergeant. The invasion left 10 people dead, with soldiers burying 50 houses, even as many of the natives are in IDP camp. Most young men in the community have abandoned their trade and fled for fear of being killed by soldiers.
After the onslaught, the army authorities in Ohafia were said to have called for a meeting with the executives of Amangwu Ohafia Development Union. It was gathered that out of fear for their safety, only five of the entire executives attended the meeting slated for 12.30pm, last Friday, at Amangwu.
The outcome of the meeting was said to be making the people more apprehensive. A source said during the meeting, the army in Ohafia gave conditions that natives and residents of Amangwu wishing to return to their homes must meet.
The source said: “In Amangwu, we have four entrances into the village, but what the soldiers told our people during the meeting was that nobody will be allowed into our community again through any other entrance, except the Amuma route. They said nobody will enter Amangwu again with anything like a gun or any dangerous weapon; that anybody who flouts the orders will be dealt with.
“Also, we have it on good authority that the soldiers are having pictures of some of our people they claimed are in their wanted list for reasons we do not know; nobody knows the people and what their offences are.”
The source went further: “As I speak with you, 20 able bodied youths have been whisked away and have not been seen. As usual, they said they are members of ESN and the soldiers said they have the map of where the so called ESN hide in the bush.
“But the question is why is Amangwu under siege by the army? Presently, we have over 10 military checkpoints in Amangwu. No government official in the state has said anything since the mayhem commenced.”
The source said as things stand in the community, nobody from the village will travel home this Christmas, as their safety is not guaranteed despite assurances from the military hierarchy.
