By Kamsi Anayo
Communities in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State are living in fear as hoodlums known as “unknown gunmen” have given them conditions for burials.
The communities, Isseke and Azia,
have cried out to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to save them as the hoodlums have threatened to wipe them out if they disobeyed the order.
According to investigation, the hoodlums have threatened the communities not to allow more than 20 persons to attend to any burial no matter the personality.
The hoodlums also ordered family members of the deceased must not involve any security personnel in funeral event .
Although, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached to confirm the report, senior police officers and some residents of the areas confirmed the incident.
The senior police officer who described described those behind y the threats as jokers.
The source said: “They are just testing the security situation here. They will will be dealt with decisively since they are adamant after losing some members recently. enough is enough.
“We are going to give them whatever they want,” the officer said.
One of the residents in Isseke, who gave her name as Judith, said that they buried their mother recently with the fear of being killed by these gunmen.
She said, that the hoodlums warned that any family that dared them would be wiped out. “We live in fear this area and many people have left the community to other areas.
“Only 20 persons attended the woman’s burial without in-laws, friends and associates. What it means is that if it’s a large family, the deceased’s sons and daughters will not come home,” she said.
According to her, the family had to relocate to Onitsha to entertain guests because only 20 persons were allowed access to the burial place.
“It’s terrible and that’s the condition we have found ourselves in Anambra state.”
