By Stanley Okehie
Kenna Ukaga, a vigilante operative of Umuihugba-Umuodu Autonomous Community in Owerri Municipal Council Area is currently receiving treatment in a private hospital following a machete cut by bandits known as “Kaduna Boys”.
Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums numbering over 25, Tuesday, at about 3am, had a bloody confrontation with the vigilantes following a failed attempt to break into a phone shop located on Wetheral Road by Christ Church Junction, Owerri.
The vigilantes had prevented the bandits from attacking the phone shop which resulted to a fight and one of the vigilantes sustained a machete cut while the bandits fled the scene unhurt.
It was also gathered that the bandits armed with guns and other dangerous weapons had attacked Amawom Autonomous Community Vigilantes two weeks earlier.
A similar incident, according to reports, reoccurred wee hours of today, Thursday, at Waterside Primary School Owerri where the bandits pounced on one of the Umuonyeche Autonomous Community Vigilante operatives, simply identified as Friday, and almost separated his neck from his body.
Worried by the incessant attacks, Onyeishiala Owerri, High Chief Reginald Ejiogu in collaboration with the traditional rulers of the five autonomous communities in Owerri Municipal Council, summoned the Hausa/Fulani Community in the state to a meeting.
At the parley which held at the office of Barr Ndukwe Nnawuchi (SAN) – Hausa/Fulani Community Legal Adviser of over 35 years, Wednesday, April 12, Sarkin Hausawa of Imo State, Alhaji Auwal Sulaiman, who came in company of members of his cabinet admitted that some group of Northern boys known as “Kaduna Boys” were behind the attacks.
He however, apologized to Owerri people for the attacks.
Alhaji Sulaiman said the boys don’t pay allegiance to him but promised to work with Owerri people and the police to forestall further attack.
Onyeishiala Owerri, Reginald Ejiogu had earlier described the incident as very alarming, regretting that it’s reoccurrence has instilled fear on the people of Owerri Municipal.
He called on both natives and residents to be on alert, even as he promised to double his efforts towards nipping in the bud the root cause of the attacks before it further escalates.
Among those at the meeting were HRH Eze Peter Njemanze of Amawom Autonomous Community, Eze Possible Uche of Umuonyeche Autonomous Community, Eze Clinton Uboegbulam of Umuororonjo Autonomous Community, High Chief Analyn Nwaneri-Eze elect of Umuihugba Umuodu Autonomous Community.
Others were, the Hausa/Fulani Delegation led by Sarkin, Alhaji Auwal Sulaiman, Barr Ndukwe Nnawuchi, SAN, Sir Soronnadi Unegbu – PG Umuodu and other PGs.