ByDouglas Princemola
The Federal lawmaker representing Ideato North and South in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has distributed more than ₦50 million to families affected by the recent mass killings in Umualaoma and Arodizuogu communities of Imo State.
The violent attacks, which left at least 27 persons dead, have thrown the entire Ideato axis into mourning and renewed debate over the worsening insecurity in Imo State.
At a sombre presentation ceremony held at his Akokwa residence on Tuesday, Ugochinyere handed over cheques to the bereaved households, stressing that the gesture was to provide immediate relief and show solidarity at a time of devastating loss. He explained that while no amount of money could compensate for the lives lost, the fund was intended to ease the burden of the grieving families and remind them that the community still stood by them.
The intervention was made possible through contributions from 47 individuals, including federal lawmakers, business leaders, and community figures. Ugochinyere applauded the donors for responding swiftly, noting that their generosity had restored hope to families battling trauma. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Perpetual Oluchi, a student from Umualaoma who lost relatives in the attack, expressed gratitude for the support, saying it brought comfort in “a moment of unexplainable sorrow.”
While consoling the affected families, Ugochinyere launched a scathing critique of the Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma, accusing it of negligence and indifference in handling the escalating security crisis. He described the killings as a direct consequence of the administration’s failure to prioritize safety and warned that he would be compelled to take stronger action to hold the government accountable if such lapses persisted.
He also faulted the alleged diversion of local government allocations by the state, arguing that such practices had weakened community security and stripped local authorities of the capacity to protect their people. He called for the empowerment of local vigilante outfits through training, modern equipment, and fair wages to enable them to serve as an effective first line of defense against criminal gangs.
Among the prominent contributors to the emergency relief were Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Mazi Chima Amadi (Mazi Gburugburu), Chief Ikenga Otti, High Chief Mike Ejiogu, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, Maxwell Opara, Chief Chineme Iheaku (Okosisi), and several others.
The massacre has reignited calls for urgent government intervention to restore peace in Imo communities. Leaders and residents across Ideato insist that while the relief fund is timely and commendable, it must not replace decisive measures to end the cycle of violence and prevent further tragedies.
