What can be more worrisome than villagers living in perpetual fear of molestation, intimidation and perhaps attacks from both within and outside? This is the situation of virtually all the 26 communities that make up Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.

Just like last year when a village in the local government area, Amangwu, came under invasion by men of the 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army in Ebem Ohafia following allegation of harbouring criminals and unknown gunmen, the Ebem community, which houses the secretariat of the council area, came under crisis which spread to other communities after a soldier, a lady and two others were felled by bullets when soldiers engaged some unknown gunmen.

The residents who spoke to Sunday INDEPENDENT in separate chats said there was still heightened tension in all the 26 villages in the local government area after last week’s clash that led to the death of a soldier as well as three residents.

Those who were killed included MsChiemela Damsel, a provision dealer along Asaga Road in Ebem, who was felled by stray bullets when soldiers engaged the unknown gunmen in a gun duel.

Recall that another victim, one Mr. Caleb from Elu Ohafia that sells provisions at Amuke Road Junction, was also a victim. He was lucky to have survived after several cuts on his arm, while his car was destroyed with an axe by the unknown arsonists during the attack last week.

Also, a young man from Ndi Inyima Compound in Amaekpu Ohafia was allegedly shot by the soldiers on Tuesday last week. He reportedly later died in a hospital. “That young man was shot by the Army. They can deny it, but it is true.

“We said everyone should remain indoors because the Army people are walking up and down, intimidating people and beating others.

“It was in that process that he was shot dead. He was killed by the soldiers and we are all mourning in Amaekpu Ohafia,” said a young man from the village who gave his name as Onwuka.

Another young man from Okagwe, a neighbouring village to Amaekpu, who declined to be named when SUNDAY INDEPENDENT sought his position on the alleged intimidation said the whole local government is at the mercy of the soldiers, however, condemned the killing of a security agency. “We are very careful where we go right now.

Even women do not go to their farms due to fear of being hurt by either the so-called unknown gunmen or the soldiers on their chase.

“In fact, what we go through is intimidation. Ohafians returning from a place like Umuahia or Enugu, or any other neighbouring states are subjected to humiliation at a junction like Nguzu Edda or Nmuri River.

“All of them are meant to come down from their vehicles and trek with their hands held up.

Of what purpose are all these? “Unfortunately, we don’t even know what the unknown gunmen want because we are not part of whatever grievances they have against the government. We are not part of them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sunday INDEPENDENT gathered that one of the hot spots of the seeming unending crisis in Obadina, Amangwu, has seen migration of its villagers to neighbouring villages.

It would be recalled that last year, after a heavy gun battle between the Nigerian Army and some unidentified gunmen, the soldiers went into the Amangwu Community, burning houses and other properties.

It was then learnt that the Army was claiming that the houses and properties they burnt belonged to community members whom they alleged harboured the gunmen and accommodated them to use their houses to plan the attack. The allegations were then denied by the community chiefs.

Thus, following events of last week, some of the villagers from the Amangwu community, our correspondent was told, had migrated to Elu and Amaekpu, as well as other adjourning communities for fear of being attacked.(Sunday Independent)