Crime groups terrorized the South-East region for nearly five years, wreaking havoc on Igbo villages through murder, kidnapping, and property destruction.
According to Vanguard, criminal gangs’ strongholds in the states of Anambra and Imo were the hardest impacted out of the five states that make up the zone.
They slaughtered thousands of innocent people and ruined the local economy. For a long time, they besieged the area. Every Monday was proclaimed as a sit-at-home day, which they brutally enforced, resulting in bloodshed and devastation. They were totally in control and dictated the pace. From their newly constructed terror camps, they intimidated and abducted people, sacked towns, and occupied the area.
Terrorist gangs were particularly active in the following areas of Anambra State: Ukpor and Utu in Nnewi South; Lilu, Orsumoghu, Mbosi, and Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area; and Ogbuka and Owerre Ezukala, which bordered Umunneochi in Abia State. These camps were deliberately placed and well defended to prevent security personnel from penetrating.
The camps are often hidden in forests, and when security forces try to approach them by helicopter, they are invariably greeted with resistance since the camps are so well-wired.
From there, they ran a ransom operation, holding hostages until they were paid. Those who managed to escape captivity reported living in what seemed like “hell on earth” conditions.
“People are killed like chickens in that forest,” a survivor from one of the camps in Lilu, Ihiala Council Area, stated. People freely use charms and a variety of hard narcotics. Victims are subjected to constant torture and their cries are played on mobile phones as a ransom demand, while women are paid to bring cooked food into the jungle.
It was a living nightmare for the locals. They were completely enslaved. Because the thugs’ strikes may be unexpected at any moment, people were confined to their homes. They also went after the security personnel who were stationed along the roadways in the area. Everyone was in danger everywhere.
Communities once inhabited by these criminal elements are beginning to see a return to normalcy as a result of the security agencies’ and the state government’s vigilante struggle against them.
Those who fled their homes are making a triumphant return, much to the relief of the locals. Now that Anambra is under control, demonstrations and political campaigns are taking place all across the state.
The events began in Imo State shortly after Governor Hope Uzodimma took office in January 2020.
The state was attacked by gunmen for motives that have not been revealed. Ironically, they were given the name Unknown Gunmen, which is a new term in Nigeria’s security language. They attacked and destroyed public facilities, including security formations, and went on a killing spree, injuring and killing innocent people. The assaults escalated tension and fear as they extended to other areas in the southeast region.
The governor, Uzodimma, placed the blame on the opposition even though the terror assaults were expanding outside Imo. He had a firm conviction that his opponents in the governorship were behind the plot to have him removed from office. Uzodimma promised to stabilize the crisis and protect the state when he inaugurated a grassroots security committee in June 2021.
Excuse me, but I’ll take care of the opposing party and a few disgruntled members of our party who are bringing in boys from neighboring states. “I promise, that’s my job,” he stated at the occasion.
Those who warned me that they would make Imo uninhabitable will, in fact, become uninhabitable before anyone else.
“I am bringing a security strategy, known and unknown, to manage security in Imo State,” Uzodinma stated, warning traditional rulers to caution the lads.
Not long after that, numerous prisoners escaped from the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Imo State, and the Police Command headquarters, which were both attacked. More than 1,500 inmates reportedly fled after they opened fire on passing automobiles and opened fire on other targets. Things took a turn for the worst.
Sponsors to be announced by Uzodinma
The governor threatened to reveal the identities of those funding the state’s widespread insecurity in December 2021. The 18 individuals detained in connection with the attacks had disclosed their sponsors, according to Uzodimma. The date of the reveal was set by him for January 3, 2022.
Everyone, even Nigerians, was waiting impatiently for the exposure. However, this was never the case. On that fateful day, stakeholders assembled at the Sam Mbakwe Multipurpose Hall, Government House Owerri, only to be let down when the governor reversed his decision and said he would let the security agencies do their jobs and bring criminal charges against those responsible.
As the attacks escalated and spread to rural regions, communities fled.
After security forces were able to regain control of Owerri and other main towns in the state, the gunmen withdrew into the surrounding settlements, where they continued to wreak havoc.
Particularly hard struck was the Orsu Council Area, when non-state actors occupied nearly all of the towns and fired their residents. They had power and decided lives and deaths.
Terror reigned during the time. The locals ran away. The city’s places of worship, including schools and marketplaces, are currently closed. Buildings that attracted their eye were demolished, and those constructed by politicians, in particular, were allegedly occupied and turned into criminal camps.
Residents fled their homes and sought refuge in neighboring communities, leaving behind utter desolation. Fearing for their lives or the lives of those they loved, people stayed off the roads surrounding the area.
Crimes such as kidnappings and murders were commonplace as the situation deteriorated further. The act of cannibalism was also alleged. In Owerri and other cities where they lived, fleeing indigenous peoples performed traditional rites such as weddings, funerals, and burials. No way were we going to go into Orsu.
Even Okigwe was simmered.
Serious attacks and occupations were also experienced by communities in Okigwe Local Government Area, including as Aku, Ihube, Ezinnachi, and Umulolo. The Mbaitolu Council Area town of Ezioha was likewise the target of violent assaults.
Because the hoodlums’ strikes could be predicted at any moment, many communities lived in constant fear.
The Edenta conflict
The fight against these criminal elements may have been won or lost in March of this year during a breakthrough operation by security forces at the infamous Produce Camp at Edenta, perhaps the strongest stronghold of the gunmen in the Orsu area. Despite this, security operatives kept confronting the attackers. Legend has it that “Produce” was a popular stop for lorries transporting agricultural goods from the Orsu and other Anambra settlements to the city for sale.
Edenta, reputedly the wealthiest town in Orsu, was a hive of commerce until the gunmen raided the entire town and severely damaged its economy.
Reports indicate that the Produce Camp was recaptured after a concerted assault by security forces entered the area and killed more than 20 terrorist gunmen. Reportedly, the camp was strewn with more than 200 human skulls and bones from different parts of the body, along with charms of varying sizes. As a consequence of the operation, several nearby communities, including Ubahaezike, Edenta, Amadim, and Ezeogwu, were reclaimed.
The Orsu Police Divisional Headquarters, which had been looted and destroyed by the criminals who had controlled it for approximately three years, was recovered and reopened as a result of this operation.
A powerful and compelling sign that the security forces were winning the fight was the recovery of the police divisional headquarters, which restored confidence to the population.
Bringing Orsu back to life
Locals who had fled the areas are slowly making their way back, this time with a more measured sense of self-assurance. A video of Orsu-youth Ihiteukwa’s dancing and singing went viral last month, capturing their elation upon returning to the village after being forced to leave for so long. Before they persuaded the evacuees to return safely, they cleared the areas that were about to be engulfed by bush.
Geoffrey Okereke, a native of Ubahaezike in Orsu, has verified that the hamlet is once again bustling with life. According to his account, a funeral was held in the neighborhood last week. When he realized they could finally lay their loved ones to rest in their own houses, he was overjoyed.
We have returned to our respective homes. For a while now, there has been no assault. Last week, in fact, we had a funeral. Burying cherished ones in a cemetery or outside your home, even though you didn’t want to, would make it feel more like home. The agony persisted even when more ceremonies were held outdoors.
The presence of security personnel is also noted. In his submission, Okereke prayed that the restored peace would last.
According to Chibuike Uba, an indigene of Amaruru, another Orsu tribe, they had a really spectacular new yam ceremony this year.
“After a long absence, we commemorated the new yam festival with great fervour this year. There was a tremendous amount of joy and relief. Those who dared to harm our homeland have long since vanished. Once again, Orsu is at peace. Return home if you’re still scared. “Peace has been achieved,” he declared.
Gentle De Yahoo’s arrest brought serenity to Okigwe
Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, infamously known as “Gentle De Yahoo,” was apprehended by the military, which is a tremendous relief for the indigenous inhabitants of Okigwe towns. While holding the whole Okigwe population captive, he and his henchmen murdered, abducted, maimed, and destroyed property.
His hometown is Okigwe, Aku, to be exact. The neighborhood is buzzing with activity again after his arrest and the killing of many gang members revitalized it. Leaders who care, particularly local businessmen, are trying to get people to come back home so they can fix up their damaged companies.
One of these initiatives to reinvigorate the neighborhood is a table tennis event set to take place soon, with a prize pool of five million naira.
Even though the contest’s exact date has not been announced, rumor has it that the organizers are doing all they can to use it as a rallying cry for the indigenous people of Okigwe’s communities that have been hit hard by instability.
Nobody knows for sure if Gentle De Yahoo was arrested, killed, or managed to escape due to the manner the military handled the ‘Gentle De Yahoo’ matter. However, the residents have found solace with the latest confirmation from the military that they have him. Since the operation where he was arrested, the region has been noticeably calm.
Some businesspeople from Okigwe Zone are organizing a table tennis event with a prize pool of five million naira. An indigenous person from the Ihube community stated that it is a part of the endeavors to determine how complete normalcy may be restored.
After years of suffering, the entire region is finally breathing a sigh of relief, including myself. People are slowly getting back on their feet. Everyone is hoping and believing that this peace will last.
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