BY EZE EGEJURU
Tragedy was averted over the weekend when youths masquerading under the cherished annual Okonko
cultural festival invaded a burial ceremony at Umuduru village in AlaomaOwerre-Ebeiri
in Orlu Local government Area of Imo State, leaving some people in pool of
blood and destroying properties estimated at over #5million.
Reliable sources from the area told our
correspondent that irate youths suspected to be from a neighbouring village
called Okworji numbering over 40 invaded the place and unleashed terror on both
natives and visitors who attended the burial of one of the illustrious sons of
the community named Elder GeoffryOcho who died in auto accident recently.
The fierce-looking young men were said to be
thoroughly armed with matchets and other dangerous weapons and perhaps,
intoxicated with some local drinks and drugs were alleged to have dispersed mourners
and sympathizers, destroyed canopies and chairs,set for the burial ceremony and
carted away monies received from sympathizers on condolence visit to the family
and burial levies collected by the village said to be in within the range of
half a million Naira.
It was alleged that in the course of the invasion
and attack, a young man, Mr. DonaldChinagoromUkwuoma, an indigene of the
community escaped death by the whiskers through dagger that pierced his chest
and sustained injuries on other parts of his body. The blood thirsty youths
were also alleged to have wounded the first son of the deceased, Frank and some
other mourners from Enugu state.The youths masquerading under Okonko were also
alleged to have attacked and destroyed properties of a maternity home located
also in umuduru.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Owerre-Ebeiri,
HRH, Eze George Uzoma is said to be leaving no stone unturned to ensure that
peace returned to the troubled communities. According to sources close to the
ancient palace, the peace-loving traditional ruler has been holding
consultations with leaders of the two villages to calm frayed nerves.
When contacted, the traditional head of Umuduru
village of AlaomaOwerri-Ebiri Autonomous Community, Chief Cos-Ukwuoma Damian
said, the Okonko masquerade used to be a highly respected annual festival in the
two autonomous communities of old Owerre-EbeiriOrlu which was a veritable
instrument used to maintain peace, law, order and to chastise offenders adding
that during the celebrations only mature men were allowed to go to market with
marchets.
He said that many indigenes of the area had
withdrawn from the celebration since youths started getting themselves drunk
and carrying dangerous weapons which had led to the careless loss of lives and
property in recent times.The respected traditional head stated that it is time
the traditional institution and elders of the community sanitized the festival
or abrogated it in the interest of peace and harmony.
When contacted on the recent incident in the area,
the ever vibrant and security conscious police Area Commander, Mr. Charles
Mozie confirmed the incident and said that arrests have been made. He also said
that the police are in control of the situation and assured that the law will
take its course.
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