On Wednesday 24th November 2021, the Catholic Bishop of Orlu, His Lordship, Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma, visited Awo-omamma community to sympathize and share the pains of the victims of the unfortunate destruction of properties which was allegedly perpetrated by the Nigerian Army which happened on Monday 22nd November 2021. The Bishop was accompanied by some priests who include Very Rev. Fr. Dr. George Chikata (Dean, St. Theresa’s Uli Region), Very Rev. Fr. Martin Kingsley Umelo (Diocesan Chancellor), Rev. Fr. Kenneth Agu (Bishop’s Secretary), Rev. Fr. Celestine Ikechukwu Ezema C.S.Sp. (parish priest, St. Patrick’s Parish Awo-Omamma).
While speaking to the victims and all who gathered, Bishop Ukwuoma condemned the killing of the soldier and the destruction of properties. “Two wrongs do not make a right” he said. The Bishop was distraught by the level of damage which he saw. He sympathized with the victims of the destruction and shared in their pains and assured them of his continuous prayers for them. He admonished all not to seek for revenge as that will create more violence, reprisals and destruction. He went ahead to pray for God’s solace on the people and for peace and calm to be restored to the community and the state at large.
While explaining the events of Monday 22nd November, an eyewitness who spoke to the Forum News correspondent on the condition of anonymity said that it all started when some gunmen accosted a motorist for flouting the sit-at-home order and set the bus ablaze. This was followed by the arrival of some soldiers and a gun battle ensued between the soldiers and the gunmen in which one soldier was killed. The soldiers came back with reinforcements with 6 hilux trucks and 2 armored trucks and went on rampage in the community, setting ablaze and destroying houses, cars, properties and businesses worth millions of naira.
Some of the victims, while counting their losses, described the actions of the Nigerian Army as “irrational and uncalled for”. Since the army is known to be a disciplined body, they expected them to show a high level of discipline and restraint instead of wrecking havoc on innocent people. They beckoned on the government to work towards the restoration of peace in the state.
