Awara kingdom to Okorocha: Save us from 'Degbam' and 'Beamup' cult groups
Awara,
a small oil-rich community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo
State is currently under siege by cultists who kill, maim, rape and
render indigenes homeless by razing their houses. STANLEY UZOARU, in
Owerri, reports.
The
situation seemed to be out of hand presently since law enforcement
agents are being overpowered and killed by the cult gangs. Many
residents of the area are on exile, including the traditional ruler who
the cultist have allegedly threatened to kill. A situation that can be
likened to the proverb "if the fire can consume the tortoise with the
iron coat, why not the fowl with the feathered gown"
Only
aged indigenes of the community are left to watch over the ruins caused
by the cultists. The able youths are said to have fled to the cities
while hoping the situation would get better someday.
The
crisis in Awara appeared to be given the state Governor, Owelle Rochas
Okorocha a sleepless night, the governor who have visited the
community several times for assessment of damages almost broke down in
tears on his discovery as he relay his experience to journalists he
briefed at the Government House recently.
Governor
Okorocha who appeared hapless have taken the matter before the
National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and hoping for an immediate
action on the issue. According to the governor, he believes the cult
gang invades his state from Omok in Rivers state since the community
share a common boundary with them.
He
said “the situation is quite pathetic, cultist have sacked an entire
community, they have continued to terrorize and maim innocent citizens
of the state, i am quite aware of the happenings and that is why i
have taken the matter to NEC meeting, this can no longer continue” The
governor who also berated the oil companies in the community for taken
advantage of the situation to continue to exploit their oil said they
should have found an amicable solution to the crisis.
Crux
of the infighting between the rival cult gangs known as “Degbam” and
“Beamup” according to an indigene of the community who do not want his
name mentioned is all about the channel of the money paid by the oil
companies to wrong hands, which have deprived the community of basic
social amenities such as good roads, water and electricity.
Awara
community have been without these infrastructure for over twenty years
especially electricity. The rage the source said has led to the
restiveness of the youths of the community which he noted,
unfortunately have been hijacked by the benefactors of the proceeds
from the oil windfall who have unleashed their “thugs” on who dare
sniff into their selfish desires.
The
source further narrated how he was traveling for the weekend to see
his ill mother but was stopped by the cultist at a junction leading to
the community where they have since barricaded and ordered him to go
back to where he was coming from.
“When
they stopped me and asked me to go back, I asked them why and they said
if I don’t go back they will shoot me, so I told them to go ahead and
kill me, when they shot into the air, I realized that they are serious,I
have to ask the driver who was already scared conveying me to turn
around” the source said.
Already,
over eighty indigenes of the community have been brutally murdered by
the cultists while scores are said to be seriously injured as the
skirmishes in the community rages on.
One
of the oil company in the community recently in a town hall meeting
held in Owerri denied their involvement in the crisis and rather blamed
the youths for their insatiable demand.
The company also accused the youths of causing damages to their own amenities.
Although,
soldiers are still stationed at the troubled community yet the
indigenes have no confidence in them in arresting the situation, they
alleged that the soldiers rather than save them from the attacks,
harass and intimidate them.
The
police also are not helping matters, one of the indigenes have told The
AUTHORITY. The police they claimed are never at the scene just about
the time they are needed. But the state commissioner of police, Taiwo
Lakanu who have never denied knowledge of the crisis have often assured
that his men are handling the situation.
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