By Raphael Onyekachukwu
Peace appears to have eluded the two worrying communities of Umuode and Oruku in Nkanu East Council area of Enugu State following the burning of parish house of st.Rita Catholic Church, Umuode by youths of Oruku weekend.
The crisis which started since 1978 have defiled all peace accords and Enugu state white paper issued in 2003 as Oruku people had constantly breach the accord and attack Umuode community.
In 2013 boys of Oruku community attacked and killed the traditional ruler of Umuode at his business Center in Emene. Since then Oruku boys have constantly attack Umuode community destroying millions of properties rendering the poor.
Following Saturday arson of St Rita’s Catholic Church, Umuode Enugu state government have vowed to end the unwanton destruction of Umuode community by Oruku people.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi made his mind known when he paid an unscheduled visit to the warring communities vowed to wield necessary government machineries to restore peace at the area.
Parrish priest, Rev. Fr. Chris Ikegwuonu, escaped death as he was away on missionary activities when the hoodlums struckrazed the parish house down.
Governor Ugwuanyi also visited the scene of arson at Umuode where he addressed the community members; including the former minister of power, Prof. Bath. Nnaji, declared that Enugu State Government will stop at nothing in bringing the perpetrators to Justice.
He promise to 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 that he lost everything in the house, including his personal belongings as 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.
