Peace has finally returned to the oil-rich Owaza community in Ukwa west local Government Area of Abia state after the killing of two soldiers in the area caused crisis which saw many residents flee their homes following military invasion of the community. The peace efforts were brokered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, the senator representing Abia south in the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, his House of Representatives counterpart for Ukwa federal constituency, Uzoma Abonta and leaders of the Owaza community. It should be recalled that members of the oil rich community have been on the run for over two weeks following the killing of two soldiers and snatching of their riffles in Okorhia-Uzuaku community, also in Ukwa West LGA same as Owaza. The incident as gathered made soldiers attached to the 144 battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa, Ukwa West LGA besiege the oil rich community, arresting people in search of the guns of their murdered colleagues. The people lamented that the killing which never took place in Owaza has brought untold hardship on them, leading to the death of five persons who were running and trying to escape from the massive arrest by the army. Speaking to Journalists, HRH Eze Obioma Nworgu, Eze-Oha-1 of Etitioha-Owaza, condemned the killing of the soldiers by unknown men, and specifically thanked Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai for hearing the cries of Owaza people. Eze Nworgu also thanked the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial Zone, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Member Representing Ukwa-East and Ukwa-West Federal Constituency, Hon. Uzoma Abonta for the role they played in speaking with the military hierarchies in Abuja. He said that his people have always lived peacefully with the military for many years and will never contemplate any act they will bring about breakdown of law and order not to talk of trying to kill the same committed soldiers that are protecting them.
