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By Dickson Okafor
After six years of horror and mass, indiscriminate killings of over 6000 persons in Orsu Local Government Area (LGA) under Awo-Idemili in Orlu senatorial zone of Imo State by unknown gunmen, peace has finally returned to the once notorious war zone.
This was made possible through the efforts of Orsu youths with the ardent support of the state government and under the watchful eyes of Senator Hope Uzodinma, the Imo State governor.
Today, Orsu is wearing a new look courtesy of Orsu Youth Forum (OYF) as dignitaries from all walks of life will be led by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to the celebration of the return of peace with the Theme: “Orsu Peace at Last Carnival 2027.”
Addressing journalists on the preparation by the organizing committee, Prince Ifeanyichukwu Victor Onyenze (Mkpuruobioma), President Orsu LGA Youth Forum, Lagos Branch said there is great joy in Orsu as the people can now heave sigh of relief after six years of invasion and killings of innocent people by the so-called unknown gunmen.
Onyenze recounted how the youths had been working tirelessly in collaboration with security agencies to end the operation of the evil gang in Orsu Local Government of Imo State. To mark the goal and the return of normalcy, he said that youths will hold a peace festival on January 2, 2027.
Onyenze noted that peace did not only return in Orsu, but in Orlu zone and the entire Imo State. He lamented that properties worth billions of Naira were lost just as sons and daughters of Orsu fled in mass from their homes to other parts of the Southeast and Nigeria at large.
The only difference between Orsu indigenes who fled and refugees was that they were not concentrated in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Their Orsu homestead was deserted for fear of being killed by the unknown gunmen.
Onyenze expressed dismay over the mayhem unleashed on Orsu people for the six years the LGA was besieged by the invaders. He noted that the leaders were unable to take decisive steps to quell the situation before it got out of hand.
Onyene explained that the invaders deceitfully recruited young men, who were brainwashed to believe that the campaign was aimed at actualising Biafra, but the real intent was to make money through kidnapping and after collecting ransom they would either kill the victims or release them.
The tide began to change when Governor Uzodimma and some worthy sons of Orsu stepped into the situation and prevailed on the misinformed youths to drop their arms and embrace peace. The youths’ positive response led to a return of peace.
His words: “This why we want to hold the Orsu Peace Festival Celebration on January 2, 2027. The peace we have achieved will be consolidated through the introduction of a youth empowerment programme, to engage the youths in meaningful economic activities. This was the mistake made – the failure to empower the young ones who were idle.”
Onyenze commended Governor Uzodimma for deploying security agents to Orsu and providing necessary security tools that helped in the fight against crime with the collaboration of the youths.
With the 2027 election on the horizon, Onyenze assured that with the restoration of peace and security in Orsu, the youths would complement the efforts of the law enforcement agents and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a peaceful electoral exercise in Orsu. In his remarks, the Provost of Orsu Youth Forum, Mr. Basil Onuchukwu, said it was heartwarming to note that commercial activities had been restored to the area, following the return of indigenes that had fled at the height of the wanton killings.
Onuchukwu said that the peace carnival and the youth empowerment programme would go a long way to consolidate the peace achieved, by keeping the youths economically active.
He said that while ruthless unknown gunmen unleashed a reign of terror and abductions for ransom, Orsu lost properties as schools, hospitals and local government buildings were vandalized – roofs removed and iron rods, profiles were stripped and carted away for sales by the vandals.
Also speaking, the Spokesperson of Orsu LGA Forum and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Gideon Kelechi Ezinwoke, opined that the people had learnt a big lesson from the horrendous impact of the mayhem that lasted for six years, noting that the people would work hard to sustain the gains recorded so far.
Regarding the peace carnival, he explained that the occasion would be used to present the Orsu Youths Excellence Award to Governor Uzodimma, who is from one of the three LGAs that constitute the Orlu senatorial zone, to appreciate and commend him for the good work he has done not only in Orsu, but in the entire Imo State.
He also invited Ndigbo and all Nigerians to the peace carnival to celebrate with the people and give thanks to God for the restoration of peace to the area.
