How ESN-trained fighters’ bloody clash with security forces threw Imo families into mourning
Families of those killed during the clash in Orlu, Imo State, between members of the Eastern Security Network linked with the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and soldiers are still mourning their dead. Some of them lost husbands while others lost wives to the bloody incident.
The victims included husband of one Mrs. Eunice Orji from Umuhu Okabia in the Orsu Local Government Area and wife of Mr. Paul Anubem from Ozuh Omuma Community in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, one person from Sokoto and three other persons from Niger Republic, including a policeman and a World Bank contractor, his driver and two police orderlies.
Mrs Anderline Anumbam was a 43-year-old food seller and among casualties of the January clash. Anumbam popularly known as Nwanteje by her customers was killed by a stray bullet while she was attending to her customers around 2pm on January 25. For the mother of four, January 25, was her first outing in the year. She died before she could be taken to a hospital.
Her husband, paul, told our correspondent at his welding workshop that his wife was hit by a stray bullet while serving people food. He lamented that she was killed while carrying out her business.
He said, “My late wife was with our two grown children in her shop that Monday because we were not sure of school resumption. When the shooting started, she was trying to protect our children and was also serving people food. I was told that my wife who was at her shop for the first time this year was hit by a stray bullet. Before I could get to her location, she was already dead. I didn’t meet alive. I saw her in a pool of her blood when I got to the hospital.’’
Anumbam, left with four children, appealed to well-meaning individuals and the government to assist him take care of his young children. Paul said his wife’s remains would be interred on March 26.
Heartrending tales
While Orji and Anumbam died of stray bullets, others died when caught in the bloody attacks. Eunice Orji told our correspondent that her husband was shot dead while avoiding the clash at the popular Banana Junction. Banana Junction is a popular stopover point for travellers coming from Lagos to Imo, Abia and Akwa Ibom states. They often stop there to buy fruits. Orji, left with five young children, described her husband as the breadwinner and a peaceful man.
She stated, “My husband went to a meeting that day. While returning, he saw soldiers were clashing with IPOB members. He then told the commercial motorcycle rider taking him home to turn back. It was while the rider was reversing that a stray bullet hit him. He bled to death as the bullet hit him in the neck. He was taken to a hospital dead.’’
The 49-year-old petty trader said that before she could reach the hospital where her husband was rushed to, he had died.
She said, “We never bargained for this. On that day, after eating, he left for the village. It was later in the day that a young man came to my shop and asked if my husband went out. I said yes. He asked me if he was wearing a particular dress and I confirmed it. It was then I became curious and asked him if something was wrong. He then opened up to me that my husband was shot and lying at Banana junction. Before my children and I could get to the place, he had been taken to a hospital. It was a tough task locating where he was taken to.’’ Punch
