By Joseph Albert (Umunna TV)
The Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine Ukwuoma, has paid condolence visit to the Okafor family of Umubochi, Awo-omamma community in Imo State over the unfortunate killing 14 youths allegedly perpetrated by some suspected members of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit.
Bishop Ukwuoma was accompanied on the visit by some priests of the diocese and the Spiritan Congregation working in the community.
The prelate, who went round, observed the level of devastation that took place, was later received by the clergy working in different parishes within the Awo-omamma community in Oru East LGA of the state.
Narrating how the dastardly act was perpetrated, one of the family members, Chidimma Okafor, said the killings happened at the concluding part of traditional wedding of one of their daughters, and that on hearing sporadic gunshots, guests started running for safety, while some were killed.
She explained that one of the guests shot at ran into a compound bleeding and begging for assistance, but was chased into the compound by the gunmen who rained bullets on his chest, leading to instant death.
“He would have been saved if relations were allowed to protect their guests”.
Bishop Ukwuoma, while expressing condolences to the family, encouraged them to place everything into the hands of God, maintain peace and avoid any form of retaliation, and later presented some food stuff, clothing materials and cash gifts to the family.
He also prayed for God’s intervention with healing and peace, and for the repose of the victims of the dastardly invasion of the community.
“On hearing the unfortunate incident, I and the priests of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu decided to come and pay our condolences and identify with you in this moment of grief and hardship”.
The Okafor family and kinsmen expressed gratitude to the Bishop, priests and the entire Catholic Diocese of Orlu for the visit, especially for kind words and benevolence towards the grieving family.
They decried what they described as wanton destruction of lives and property that is fast becoming notorious in Orlu area of the state, and urged government to protect the lives of citizens and to ensure that the letting of blood in Imo is stopped, as according to them, “jungle justice will take the State to nowhere”.
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