Bunkering: Izombe conflict was not caused by plea for RUGA or forceful acquisition of land as reported

BY PRINCELY ONYENWE, IMO

The Izombe massacre was not caused by the alleged RUGA settlement policy and the rift between the land owners and Imo state government as earlier reported on social media and print media.

9News Nigeria reports that the actual cause of the clash between the NIGERIAN ARMY and Izombe community was the killing of a youth of the community by the NIGERIAN soldier who was called on a tip off to secure the proceeds from the illegal oil bunkering going in the area.

The truth of the matter as confirmed by 9News Nigeria is that the killing is not in any way associated with RUGA or Hope Uzodinma’s government as peddled by the haters and detractors of Imo shared prosperity government.

However, the Nigerian army in reaction sent troops of soldiers and armoured tankers to Izombe to appease the killing of their members by Izombe youths.

Meanwhile, 9News Nigeria correspondent in Owerri reports that more than 50 houses were razed down by fire while the residents of the community have deserted their place for the reason of safety.

There is no doubt that the people are homeless wandering in hunger and nakedness at the time of this report being documented by 9News Nigeria in Owerri.

In the process of retaliation by the army, people were shot dead having the toll of dead bodies at 2 soldiers and 4 residents killed.

The Imo state government has through the people’s governor Hope Uzodinma promised to visit the community today 12-10-2021 to ascertain the level of damages meted to the community.

The governor however promised to set up a panel of enquiry to investigate the cause of the disaster in Izombe Oguta area.

Speaking with community leaders, the youth leader of Izombe condemned such a wicked act by the Nigerian army and advised their youths to desist from touting.

Another leader in the community (name withheld) is calling on Hope Uzodinma’s government to hasten action to save their people from the continued killings by the Military.

Of a fact, the urgly incident happened at UMUOKWU ABOSHI in IZOMBE OGUTA local government area on Friday dated 8-10-2021 where houses, shops, cars and economic trees and cash crops were destroyed by the Army in revenge of their members who were killed by Izombe youths.

Recall that it was the soldier that killed a son of Izombe in the presence of his fellow youths and on this therefore the youths killed the soldiers in retaliation which later propelled the sporadic shooting, Killings and destructions by the NIGERIAN ARMY.

The governor of Imo state His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma will in no distance time from the time of this report by 9News Nigeria visit Izombe Oguta to douse the immense tension illegal bunkering have caused in the land of the oil-producing communities in imo state

9News Nigeria (Owerri)
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