Anambra: Community buries 12 after gunmen’s six-year burial ban

Members of Lilu community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State have buried the remains of 12 persons who died as a result of insecurity in the area.

The deceased, comprising male and female mainly from two villages – Umuezala and Eziorsu – were buried shortly after a mass conducted at St. Charles Catholic Church, Lilu, between Friday and Saturday.

South-East Punch investigation showed that their remains had been at the morgue for over six years due to insecurity in the area orchestrated by gunmen who masqueraded as Biafran agitators.

It was gathered that families of the deceased could not bury them for over six years because the unknown gunmen held the community, comprising of 20 villages, hostage and prevented the conduct of any burial ceremony in the areas.

Findings by our correspondent also revealed that the criminal elements banned all burial and wedding ceremonies in the area, as well as cultural and traditional festivals, illegally imposing and collecting huge levies from the people. Hence many whose family members died during the period of the criminal agitations between 2021 and 2024 could not bury their dead.

Speaking to South-East Punch correspondent during the ceremony held at the Ekeikpo Primary School ground, a community leader, who identified himself as Mazi Uzodike, said out of 25 bodies deposited at the morgue, 12 were being buried as part of the first batch while other batches will come later.

Uzodike said, “Today marks a historical day in Lilu as 12 dead bodies from two areas were buried after staying over six years in the mortuary due to insecurity, perpetuated by criminal elements under the guise of Biafra agitations. They turned the 20 communities that make up the LGA into desolate places.

“Our sons and daughters we are burying today and others still at the mortuary were killed by unknown gunmen, some died while fleeing the community during the peak of insecurity between 2021 and 2024 when they held the community hostage.

“During this period, the criminal elements, nicknamed ‘Umuoma’, acting under the guise of Biafra agitations, sacked people from their homes, took over their houses, while bushes covered other places.