A community in Imo State, Orlu is reportedly under siege by operatives of the Nigerian Army based on residents’ reports on social media on Monday.
What exactly is happening in Orlu, Imo State? Are we are war? What's the meaning of this madness for Godsake? pic.twitter.com/qCZXj4alsQ
— Aji Bussu Onye Mpiawa azụ 🇨🇮 (@AfamDeluxo) January 25, 2021
There are reports of heavy shootings and some residents have been allegedly hit by stray bullets.
Orlu is on fire.
Where is isi opioro mango man that sneaked into Douglas House through septic tank?
What is he doing? What are men of the Nigerian Military doing in a peaceful town like Orlu? pic.twitter.com/RlIvrj98Ql
— Aji Bussu Onye Mpiawa azụ 🇨🇮 (@AfamDeluxo) January 25, 2021
The situation in the community, as well as the circumstances that led to the shootings, appeared hazy, for now.
https://twitter.com/AfamDeluxo/status/1353765577265967104?s=20
According to some residents, there was a military operation in the community, as a result of a clash between the army and some youth believed to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
This is orlu, Imo State, she was killed by a stray bullet, another innocent life cut short. all side should cease hostilities for the sake of peace. @Hope_Uzodimma1 do something to address the situation before it spiral out of control …. pic.twitter.com/uj4tKPdaU0
— Harrison Onuoha (@harri_onuoha) January 25, 2021
Some residents of Orlu have been capturing scenes of the crisis with their phones and uploading clips on social media.
The clash between soldiers and members ESN in Orlu, Imo state today has resulted in some deaths & this is unfortunate. I call for restraint on both sides. The soldiers ought to be deployed against killer herdsmen and not ESN. When will Buhari learn. Chidera Agu please stay safe.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) January 25, 2021
A video posted on Twitter, Monday afternoon, showed soldiers taking positions in a calmed street and firing gunshots.
Some military trucks are seen, in another video, being driven through a street.
A woman’s voice could be heard from the background of the video crying.
“Oh my God, look at them, look at them. Oh, Jesus, I want to go home. I want to go home,” the woman, apparently frightened, cried.
Orlu is not safe pic.twitter.com/X2m1C8ZMZY
— Harrison Onuoha (@harri_onuoha) January 25, 2021
Another video showed flames of fire engulfing a building, while a corpse is seen close by at a veranda of what looks like a shop.
“This is what is happening in Orlu,” said a man’s voice in a video. He was secretly filming the scenes of the military operation.
Orlu is Boiling. ESN in action against the Janjaweed Military. No time💪 pic.twitter.com/xVlY5V9Trs
— IamUmeOjiOforNnia (@Ezepatricktwit1) January 25, 2021
“The army are shooting sporadically. They are just shooting at any vehicle that is moving, although I can’t get everything from where I am right now.
“Orlu is in a total mess,” he said.
Can the @HQNigerianArmy @DefenceInfoNG please communicate what’s going on here in Orlu Town to the public?
It certainly has the appearance of a war scene.
Is an entire town under combat operation from our Military?
Can the C-in-C let Nigerians know who ordered this operation? https://t.co/6tT8ML9pn1
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) January 25, 2021
The police spokesperson in the state, Ikeokwu Orlando, confirmed that a military operation was going on in Orlu, but said he did not have details of what was happening.
Meanwhile, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodima, was holding an emergency Security Council meeting as of 4:30p.m over the situation in Orlu.
The Commissioner for Information in the state, Declan Emelumba, said the government would issue a statement after the security meeting.