According to sources available to hopealivemedia.com.ng, inhabitants of Uzuaku community in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State have deserted the area after the military took over following the killing of a soldier in a gun attack by unknown gunmen at Imo River, a boundary area between Abia and Rivers State.
It is reported that the Umuelechi village took a Chinese company to court over encroachment on their land from the swampy area leased to them for sand excavation, resulting in the uprooting of economically valuable trees within the area of operation.
Sequel to this, an ugly event that occurred at Imo River, where a soldier attached to the Chinese company was gunned down by unknown gunmen who fled with his AK-47 rifle. Villagers raised an alarm, stating that the incident was unrelated to the land dispute between the community and the company.
It was gathered that Uzuaku town is a place of habitation for all and sundry, given their peaceful coexistence, appreciated by neighbours living around them. At the time of filling this information, the peaceful community had turned into a ghost town, and a military surge was witnessed in the area in response to the killing of their member, while a handful of youths from the community were taken away to an unknown area by the Nigerian military.
The Community calls on stakeholders, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene to restore peace within the area so that community members who seek refuge in the bush can return home to their various businesses and reconnect with families
