RAYMOND OZOJI reports
As Ihiala mourns over the terror, tears and blood unleashed by daredevil gunmen on Chigbonu village Umuike Ubahuekwem Ihiala where eight persons and two security operatives stationed at the Local Government Headquarters were all massacred in cold blood, the town union has tasked the state government to ensure the security and safety of lives and property in Ihiala town and the council area at large.
A press statement dated 31st December 2024 and signed by the President-General of Ihiala Progress Union (IPU) Chief Barr. Okey Leo Ohagba revealed that the leadership of the town union condemned the evil act, describing it as ungodly and man's inhumanity to man. IPU in the statement also appealed to the state government to set-up a fire station in Ihiala to fight incessant fire outbreaks that occur at Nkwo-Ogbe market and other markets in the area.
The statement reads, " With bleeding hearts, the leadership of Ihiala Town Union reports as follows:That on/about 08:00 Hrs of Monday 30th December, 2024, some yet to be identified gunmen attacked some AVG personnel attached to Ihiala Local Government Secretariat. Two operatives were killed in the attack, while one was critically injured and currently receiving treatment.
That few minutes after the first attack, another (suspected to be by same gang) was reported at the Onuchukwu family house of Umuike Ubahuekwem Ihiala; where sadly another 8 (eight) persons, inclusive of some visiting security operatives, two vendors (including the CEO of Oluebube Global Rental Services) and Chief (Engr.) Donatus Onuchukwu were murdered in cold blood, while one person was critically injured and receiving treatment. The Onuchukwus led by the late Chief Dona and his younger brother Dr. Kevin Onuchukwu were on top of preparations towards the funeral of their late mom, scheduled for 1st & 2nd January, 2025 before this senseless bloodbath.
That few hours after these attacks, a fire outbreak was reported at a section of Nkwogbe Market Ihiala. Goods and properties worth millions of Naira were razed. It took the intervention of good spirited Ihiala indigenes and/or residents whose humanitarian efforts nipped the inferno and saved the day. On behalf of the town union leadership, we empathize with all affected business owners who lost goods and valuables. We thank the good Samaritans for their heroic efforts, while calling on the State Government to take proactive steps towards addressing this unabating menaces of fire incidents in Ihiala by provision of a functional and accessible fire service station.
Indeed, it was was a blackday for Ihiala town and the entire Ihiala Local Government Area. While we mourn the deceased and condole with all families hit by these tragedies, we call on the Government at all levels to step up her efforts towards security of lives and property of Ihiala citizens and residents, as we navigate through a ravaging spate of insecurity. In the same vein we beckon on all relevant security formations to engage drastic gears and ensure the perpetrators of these dastardly acts do not go scot-free.
This is a time for sober reflection by all well meaning sons and daughters of Ihiala. It is a time to never despair nor get despondent, rather a time to get even more emboldened to rise more sternly against crime and criminality in our once peaceful homeland. "
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