Houses, shops and vehicles belonging to residents of Awonmanma in Oru East Local Government area of Imo state have been set ablaze reportedly by angry soldiers.
The incident was reported to have occurred on Monday at about 4pm.
Sources revealed that trouble started when unknown gunmen in their convoy attacked soldiers and in the process,killed one soldier.
Pained by the killing of one of them, the soldiers allegedly mobilised to the area and visited Awonmanma community in anger.
A resident from the area recalled, “There was a clash between unknown gunmen and security agents in Awonmama.
“The gun shots fired from different sides ignited fire from one of the inflammable substances packed in the shops the fire travelled from one house to the other and burnt even commercial buses, filling stations. People’s shops and homes were also not spared.”
However, at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the affected persons had been rendered homeless as their personal belongings were all burnt to ashes.
Businessmen and women reportedly watched helplessly as their wares were destroyed by the fire.
Some of the residents of the affected communities were seen fleeing through the bushes to an unknown destination.
They were said to be afraid of any form of attack from gunmen.
They were seen carrying their belongings and dragging their children along with them.
According to a source, “We are running away with our children with a few of our properties. We don’t want to be killed. We want to be safe. Let us go where nobody will kill us.”
Reaction is due from the Nigerian Army, as a call placed across to the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Army Public Relations Officer, PRO, Joseph Akubo, did not succeed.
The Vanguard