Ugwuanyi moves to stop further violence in warring communities

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday paid an unscheduled visit to the warring communities of Umuode and Oruku in Nkanu East local government area of the state and vowed to wield necessary government machineries to restore peace at the area.

Unknown arsonists had on Saturday razed the parish house of St. Rita's Catholic Church, Umuode, but the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Chris Ikegwuonu, escaped death as he was away on missionary activities when the hoodlums struck.

Governor Ugwuanyi who visited the scene of arson at Umuode and later addressed community members; including the former minister of power, Prof. Bath. Nnaji, declared that Enugu State Government will thoroughly  investigate the present incident and do the needful to restore peace which has eluded the area for years now.

The governor who went on an interventionist mission along with top government functionaries also visited the rival community -Oruku, where he also addressed the members of the community and equally assured them that his administration would work hard to restore peace to the area.

Speaking to newsmen at the parish house, the embattled parish priest, Fr. Ikegwuonu lamented the attack and said that he lost everything in the house, that not even a pin was salvaged.

At both communities, mild dramas played out when the governor addressed the community members comprising mostly women. At their respective places, the women of Umuode and their Oruku counterpart wailed uncontrollably urging the governor to rescue them.