…As several houses were burnt, including monarch’s palace, churches
By Chuks Collins, Awka
It was a harvest of tears and lamentation as people of Lilu community in Ihiala Council area of Anambra State stormed the Anambra Government House in tears and heavy hearts.
The people including youths, elderly men and women maintained straight faces which they claimed was indicative of the urgency and seriousness of their mission.
According to their spokesperson who gave his name simply as Emeka, for security reasons had to abandon the burial of two of their kinsmen halfway when news got to them that two others who sustained severe matchet cuts in last Sunday’s attack have died where they were receiving treatment.
Emeka who briefed the Secretary to the Anambra State Government (SSG), Solo Chukwulobelu on their travail stated that their brutal gun attacks began some years ago. That in their first ugly experience eleven (11) kinsmen were killed, while nine(9)persons lost their lives in the last Sunday’s massacre.
He noted that so far 20 citizens have lost their lives in the recent orgy of killing spree. That they took some away, telling them that they were going to sacrifice them to their gods.
While calling on Gov Chukwuma Soludo to come to their immediate assistance, the people lamentated that everyday remain a struggle for them as they either get kidnapped, slaughtered or just disappeared without trace.
He bemaoned a situation where about eighty-five percent of the whole community now live in exile in neighboring communities. That there was no household in Lilu that has no member who has been savagely murdered.
Moreso that anyone who speaks out was usually killed the next day.
The numerous placards they bore said it all, including :’Soludo rescue us’, ‘Lilu is on the verge of extinction,’ “Is Lilu actually in Anambra State”, etc
The palace of their traditional ruler, Igwe Godson Onyediri in its comments appealed to the governor for quick assistance, describing the savage murder and decapitation of Venerable Gabriel Obiesie’s wife who was burnt alongside the St Andrew’s Anglican church pasonage and their children, cars and entire property as sacrilegious, inhuman and an abomination.
Chief Chukwulobelu while acknowledging their peaceful disposition even in the face of intense provocation appealed for their continuous understanding. That the governor was aware of their challenges and is on top of the matter.
The SSG admitted that the governor was not relenting in efforts to secure a lasting peace in Lilu and other trouble spots in parts of the state.
He collected all their placards, promising to present their matter to the governor later in the day.
