Residents in and around Osumoghu community in the Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State have said they are currently living in fear following air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force.
Some of the residents, who spoke to The Punch on Thursday, said many people were fleeing their various homes for fear of any reprisal attacks by the hoodlums being dislodged in the forests around the communities.
NAF had, on Wednesday, in a press statement issued by its spokesperson, Commodore Edward Gabkwet, announced that it had bombed camps and armouries of the Indigenous People of Biafra in Mother Valley Orsumoghu in the Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State and at Aku Ihube in the Okigwe LGA of Imo State.
Gabkwet said the air operations were conducted following credible intelligence reports that suspected IPOB fighters had finalised plans to unleash mayhem on residents.
But IPOB, through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a press statement on Thursday, debunked NAF’s claims, insisting that it does not have any camp in the said locations. It accused the military of bombing innocent civilians living in those communities.
When our correspondent visited the Osumoghu community in Nnewi South LGA, there was palpable tension as major roads in the area appeared deserted and most shops and markets in the area did not open.
An octogenarian in the community, who identified himself as Nnanna Offor, said, “Indigenes of Orsumoghu community have started fleeing in droves for fear that the terrorists may regroup and attack them.
“Those hoodlums are heartless. They do not even care who their brothers are, that is the main reason no one wants to take chances at the moment.
“Our people are leaving the community now. There are rumours that the terrorists are regrouping, and there is the likelihood that with the anger, anyone they find will be their target. I am the only one left at home in the village as all my people have run to the city.
“As you can see, the roads are not busy the way they ought to be and commercial activities have slowed down because the traders are not opening their shops.”
Another indigene, Madam Esther Nkwo, a retired teacher, said, “Our hearts are in our mouths at the moment. The only people you will find in the community right now are the elderly; the youths have fled.
“This is because the security operatives go after the innocent youths by tagging them IPOB and in the process take them away. The whereabouts of many people in the community who have been whisked away in such circumstances have remained unknown, so this is the reason it seems they are fleeing.”
Efforts to get the reactions of the Transitional Chairman of the Nnewi South LGA proved abortive as calls and messages to his telephone line were not responded too.
But an official in the council secretariat, Chidiebere Nwosu, said residents needed not to panic, saying the airstrikes were targeted at hoodlums disturbing the peace of the community.
