Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has called for calm from all the parties involved in the crisis going on at Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state, urging them to give peace a chance and allow the State Government an opportunity to find a solution to the matter.
The Governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, expressed grave concerns regarding the ongoing reprisal attacks in Owaza by soldiers of the Nigerian Army following the alleged killing of some soldiers in the community.
News Echo reports that soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion, Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State have allegedly set ablaze homes at the oil-rich Owaza community over the death of their colleagues.
It was learnt that gunmen suspected to be illegal oil bunkers on Monday night attacked three soldiers at a checkpoint near the oil pipeline between Owaza and Obuzor communities in Ukwa West killing two in the process.
Infuriated by the killing of their colleagues, the soldiers stormed the community setting fire to houses, shops and any structure on sight.
Reacting, Ikpeazu through his Chief Press Secretary, tasked the soldiers to show a high level of patriotism and not allow the situation to degenerate any further, as the State Government continues to engage the leadership of the Army on the issue.
Consequently, Ikpeazu invited the leaders from Ukwa West LGA to a crucial meeting scheduled to hold on Saturday, January 22nd, 2022 at the Governor’s Lodge, Aba.
News Echo gathered from sources that there was a mass exodus of people from Owaza, as residents have deserted the area even before the arrival of the rampaging soldiers who reportedly met empty buildings they have set ablaze.
The oil-rich Owaza is a boundary town between Abia and Rivers State and is regarded as one of the towns with the largest deposit of oil, as it boasts of over 150 oil Wells.
A source also told News Echo that one of the soldiers that survived the attack alerted the 144 Battalion military camp at Asa where soldiers attached there subsequently invaded the community razing buildings in retaliation after the suspected bunkers must have escaped.
The source also said that aside from the alleged killing of the two soldiers, another issue that may have brought about the military invasion is the report that the rifles of the two soldiers were carted away by their killers.
The source said that the recent events in Owaza cannot be far from the fight the Rivers State Government has declared on illegal oil bunkers and pipeline vandals who are currently running for other safe places to continue their illicit business.
“What’s happening in Owaza could be linked to bunkering. This is not the first time this is happening. Soldiers in Owaza can attest to the fact that they live in peace with our people. Our people can never hurt those soldiers.
“They’re like our brothers because their presence is for our good as well. Nobody will be bold to come out but I can tell you that this issue is not far from illegal bunkering. They may not be expecting to meet soldiers there.
“Those who did this are not from Owaza that I can say because our people relate well with soldiers there. I’ll advise the Abia state government and the Federal Government to join what’s happening in Rivers State and intensify the fight against illegal oil bunkering.
“If Rivers State succeeds in chasing them away, they have Abia, Bayelsa and Imo as options. Mind you, wherever they go, death follows. In my view, let nobody twist anything here, oil bunkers are at it again.
“Just last week many tankers were impounded in Aba while they left this area. They’re armed and ready to fight. I believe that the army knowing our relationship with them can make more inquiries rather than doing what they’re doing there.”
