Igbo Youth Leader Laments As 170 Buildings Set Ablaze, 50 Persons Killed in Imo

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

Following the massacre of Igbo people in Imo state, the Igbo youth leader has warned Hope Uzodinma not to seek re-election because his hand is full of blood.

In the recent attack on the Igbo people, not less than 50 people lost their lives while over 170 houses were burnt in Oguta.

This is according to a release signed by Ifeanyi Nweke, OYC Secretary General, and Igboayaka Igboayaka, National president, of Ohanaeze Youth Council.

It was stated that Ohanaeze Youth Council, the Apex sociopolitical Youth Organisation of Igbo Youth Worldwide received with sadness that no less than 50 persons have been killed and more than 170 buildings set ablaze by the security operatives in Izombe, Oguta, Imo state.

The council lamented the debilitating inability of Gov. Hope Uzodinma’s administration to checkmate the activities of the bandits together with military personnel, police and the Imo state-owned security network, known as Ebube-Agu.

The situation has however affected socio-economic and other activities as markets, schools and churches have been closed down in Izombe, for over 8 months.

It was maintained that over 50 people have been killed by the security operatives between June 7 and June 19, 2023.

The Nigeria Police Force, Imo state command, Ebube-Agu and military had equally destroyed more than 170 buildings in various villages including over 45 houses.

According to the report, state actors accounted for the deaths of 900 out of the 1600 unarmed persons killed in the state while the other 700 were killed by armed non-state actors.

It was maintained that 600 out of 900 were secretly killed by state actors while 300 died in open shootings.

About 1200 houses were burnt with their 30,000 owners displaced while 500,000 citizens of the state were forced to flee to escape being shot, killed, and abducted.

However, the Igbo Youth Leaders appeal that the blood flowing in Imo has softened the face of Mother Earth and it is the general interest of Ndi Imo and Ndigbo in general, to urge Governor Hope Uzodinma to suspend their re-election bid and seek atonement of sins.