More than 100 women hailing from the Ogwuaniocha community in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State marched through Onitsha and its surrounding areas on Thursday.
Their protest aimed to raise awareness and condemn the ongoing violence, abductions, and property damage inflicted by unidentified gunmen operating within their community.
Most of these women, primarily in their mid-50s and older, asserted that at least 20 individuals have lost their lives, with numerous others sustaining injuries due to the actions of a group operating under the moniker “Lion Squad.”
They claimed that this armed squad overran their community, with their monarch, Igwe Oliver Nnaji, abducted in 2021, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
One of the women leaders, Nkemdilim Onwurah, emphasized that recent attacks by the “Lion Squad” commenced last Friday, compelling residents to flee their community.
She pointed out that despite being an oil-rich area contributing to Anambra’s oil production status and consequently receiving oil derivation funds, the state government has neglected the community’s security.
Security forces appear to protect only the area where the oil company operates, leaving other regions vulnerable to these gunmen, who have fled from Orsu, Lilu, and Ihiala communities.
These gunmen have taken refuge in their community as their camps in Ihiala, Orsu, and Lilu have come under assault from security operatives.
The residents implored the Anambra State government to intervene, as their homes have been destroyed, and families are forced to hide in the bush to escape the violence.
Cecilia Okonkwo, another protester, disclosed that the same criminal elements operating as the “Lion Squad” had kidnapped the traditional ruler of the community in November 2021, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
The situation escalated as a combined group of terror gangs and the Lion Squad targeted innocent citizens between Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October 20, causing injuries and fear in the community.
Additionally, Ngozi Freda recounted how these gangsters set the Igwe’s palace on fire and kidnapped the monarch in November 2021.
The insecurity and violence in their community coincided with the discovery of oil, with these criminals forming alliances with opposing groups to gain control of the community’s resources.
They pleaded with the governor to come to their rescue and address their dire situation, emphasizing their belief in his responsiveness.
However, when contacted, the state police public relations officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, expressed no knowledge of the insecurity and violence in the Ogwuaniocha community at the time of the report’s filing on Thursday.
