ARCHBISHOP ONUGHA DECRIES OHANAEZE, GOV. UZODINMA’S INACTION AS SOLDIERS ALLEGEDLY BURN HOUSES,SACK OKIGWE COMMUNITIES
Okigwe – Most Rev. Bieronwu Livinus Onuagha, Archbishop of Okigwe Methodist Archiocese has called out the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma for their alleged inaction following the sacking of several towns in his archdiocese by Nigerian soldiers.
In a viral video, the outspoken cleric condemned the action of the soldiers, who allegedly attacked and burned down houses in several communities under his archdiocese comprising Okigwe, Uturu,Ihube, Isuochi and Nneochi dioceses and extending from Imo to Abia States.
In an emotion laden voice, the cleric lamented the plight of his people, seemingly caught in the crossfire between the Nigerian military and insurgents loyal to Finnish based terrorizer of his people, Simon Ekpa.
“Ihube and Aku communities in Okigwe LGA are totally deserted. The Imo State Government knows about this. Bomber jets and helicopters have bombed Aku twice.”
He then accused the soldiers of acting like Boko Haram by burning down the houses of those they were meant to protect from the insurgents.
“The military move from house to house burning down houses. I condemn the death of any soldier in hands of ‘Bad Boys in the society’. But the military has a strategy which they use in fishing out bad boys in the society. Does it call for burning down every house in the environment before you can fish out these bad boys?
“Our people are in abject, terrible situation right now. I don’t know how we are going to describe it, more refugees are coming out.
He then cautioned the Nigerian Military over its approach:”The Nigerian Military should take it cautiously. They should not be burning down people’s houses like Boko Haram
“We hear them saying in Hausa “Asa Wuta!”, Cars, “Asa Wuta!”, Shops, “Asa Wuta!”, Houses, “Asa Wuta!”. You think we don’t understand Hausa. Everywhere, put fire. When you have put fire on all the places you are supposed to protect, what then is your work? Are you Boko Haram? We don’t know what you are doing for us here”.
“The other day, Umulolo was almost sacked. In Umukere, nineteen houses were burnt down; two aged women were chased out and their houses set on fire”.
He then made a passionate appeal to Governor Uzodinma
“Please, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, come on an on the spot visit of these communities and know what to do. Imo State is made up of three Senatorial zones. Okigwe and Orlu zones are gone, are you going to be Governor of only Owerri zone?
“Please, we need intervention immediately! Our people are dying of hunger, our people are dying of cold”
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, I don’t know why you are trying to paint what is evil, wether you are political, where you are helping your people”, said the fiery cleric, lambasting the Ohanaeze leadership.
