ENUGU — For more than four years, many communities across Igbo land were deserted following sustained attacks by criminal elements popularly referred to as unknown gunmen. Residents and visitors were killed, kidnapped or maimed, properties were destroyed, and entire communities were turned into no-go areas. In several instances, the criminals occupied abandoned towns, unleashing terror from those bases, while fear and anxiety spread across the region.
However, the 2025 Christmas season marked a notable shift. Hope resurfaced as life gradually returned to several communities. Social activities resumed in previously deserted areas such as Ihiala, Aguata and Orumba in Anambra State, as well as the once-feared Orlu and Oguta areas of Imo State. Large numbers of indigenes returned home to enjoy the festive season, reconnect with family and revive traditions that insecurity had disrupted for years.
Community meetings, which had long been suspended, were once again held to discuss development. Philanthropists also gathered widows and the less privileged to celebrate with them — activities that had been impossible in recent years due to the security situation.
Confirming the gradual return of calm in Ihiala and neighbouring towns, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association from the area, who requested anonymity, said peace was slowly returning, although isolated criminal incidents still occurred.
“Gradually, the area is calming down, but there are still pockets of criminal activities here and there.
“However, people are happy celebrating Christmas and waiting to celebrate the New Year. We are happy to be home again after some years of running from the town. In fact, all the towns in Ihiala Local Government Area are celebrating the gradual return of peace in our Local Government. You know what this place was like between January, February and March. We thank our youth for that bold step of initiating the takeover of our towns from criminal elements who are mostly strangers working with some hoodlums from the towns.”
An Onitsha-based businessman, Chief Chikwueloka Ezeh, also said the situation in his Ihiala community was a sharp contrast to what obtained in 2022 and 2023, when criminals openly mounted roadblocks during the day without challenge from security agencies.
“There were roads in Ihiala that you dared not drive through in 2022, 2023 and 2024, unless you were ready to part with any amount the criminal elements mounting roadblocks in the areas asked you to pay.
“You can remember that here in Ihiala and our neighbouring towns, people only came home to bury the dead and leave after burials. You also recall that before those burials, the families would have settled the criminal elements who threatened to disrupt the burials if not settled. But recently, before this Christmas, those threats had gradually disappeared, and we observed that some families buried their loved ones without disturbance from those criminal elements.
“We must thank our youths for the bold step they took and the military and police for sending their men on a daily basis to assist the youths to root out the criminals. We are happy to come home once more and expect that the peace will continue.
“No doubt the hitherto deserted communities in Ihiala Local Government Area are coming back home to celebrate Christmas and New Year peacefully without harassment by gunmen who have been terrorising them. It is a good thing that is happening.”
In appreciation, residents of Ihiala Local Government Area recently commended the Nigerian Army for its role in restoring security, which has encouraged the mass return of displaced residents to affected communities.
In a letter, the local Ohaneze leadership and the president-general of Mbosi town recalled how unknown gunmen once overran communities such as Isseke, forcing the traditional ruler, Igwe Emma Nnabuife, to flee. Other affected towns included Mbosi, Azia, Orsumoghu, Lilu and Ubuluisuzo, as well as neighbouring communities in Imo State.
Part of the letter read: “The people of Mbosi and Ebonesie have watched with admiration the professionalism, discipline and readiness for action consistently demonstrated by the officers and soldiers of the 302 Artillery Regiment.
“Your troops have stood firm in the face of danger, responding swiftly to distress calls, confronting threats and maintaining calm even in the most challenging situations. Beyond military efficiency, we are particularly grateful for the human and approachable conduct of your soldiers whose respectful interaction with civilians has built trust and renewed confidence among our people.
“They have become symbols of assurance, men who not only carry arms but also carry compassion and patriotism in their hearts.”
In Imo State, indigenes of Umuokwu Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area gathered during the festive period to celebrate the return of peace after nearly four years of insecurity. At the event, residents recounted how the community endured killings and displacement before rallying to confront the crisis.
A federal lawmaker from the area, Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu, praised the bravery of a police officer from the community, Inspector Vincent Chika Okebata, whose leadership he said was instrumental in defeating the criminals. Okebata was honoured with the title “Dike Udo” during the 2025 Umuokwu Day Celebration.
Dibiagwu recalled that at the height of the crisis, most residents fled, leaving only a few behind.
“A time came, I looked around and I saw only Chika (the policeman) and myself. Every other person that mattered left.
“I sent for him, he came, sat down, and I said: ‘Chika, you went to Egbema and conquered. Our people are dying, we have to do something now or never.’ I said, you must relocate to Izombe immediately.
“I approached the governor and told him that Chika has agreed to go back to Izombe and fight this evil. There and then, we started making arrangements with his unit.
“We took off. The first step was to station at Central School with the money I provided. But he said to me: ‘Nana, I don’t have security there, the people are betraying me. I am relocating to my house.’ He relocated to his house.
“I was coming into this place inside an Armoured Personnel Carrier, my people were outside. My greatest happiness is this moment.
“When I hear people say nonsense about him, people who didn’t know what actually transpired; breadwinners were sent to their untimely graves, passersby were killed for no sin of theirs. But today, Izombe people can sleep with their eyes closed.
“Most importantly, I thank the governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for taking decisive actions to save our community.”
In a welcome address, the President-General of the Umuokwu Izombe Development Association, Mr Lucky Dibiagwu, said Inspector Okebata was singled out for recognition because of his exceptional role in restoring peace.
“We shall confer on him the title of ‘Dike Udo’ due to his efforts in restoring peace and security in Umuokwu Izombe today.
“In today’s event, we are introducing Chiefdom Parade, a musical dance display for our people to dance and shake off pains and for God to fully take over our affairs as days of sorrow are gone and gone forever in our land. Going forward, we christen Umuokwu, Land of Peace, and call on everyone to pursue unity and peace in Umuokwu and Izombe.”
He also appealed to the state government to fulfil promises of compensation to victims of past violence, which reportedly left more than 150 houses destroyed between 2021 and 2023.
Inspector Okebata, in his remarks, expressed gratitude for the honour and pledged to remain committed to consolidating peace and security in the area.
