How I lost my husband, two children to Omoku massacre

The deceased, father and son

Six more persons were killed in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, yesterday barely three days after 21 persons were killed while returning from crossover night service on new year day.

Meantime, victims of the Omoku Massacre have narrated their ordeal. When The Guardian visited Kirigene and Aligwu communities in Omoku on Wednesday, there was relative calm, though the new year celebration in most families had turned into mourning.

Some of the bereaved families visited were seen seated with relatives, crying while friends console them. They were reluctant to speak but a woman, Mrs. Comfort Ordu, who lost five persons to the incident spoke, amid tears.

She narrated: "I lost five persons; my husband, my two children, and my children's two friends, Saviour and Favour Odili. My gateman, Desmond, was also shot, but he is hospitalized. He went out with my husband to look for the children. I have a prophetic and healing Ministry, where I attend to people, particularly women.

“So, that fateful day, being New Year day, I prayed with my family members in my sitting room. By 2a.m. I advised my family members not to go outside because I foresaw danger. It was later I was told my children went to where there was carnival show within the vicinity. I told my husband to go and look for them. Suddenly, I saw six men enter my compound, all dressed in black. I heard them say they were sent by government to kill.

"I hide inside one of the rooms. I did not come out because I did not know their mission. After they left I came out only to see that the gunmen had shot my husband and two of my children outside, while they were returning home.

"My husband is not a cult member, he is not a politician. I do not belong to any women meeting. It is only my church I know. My own is to pray and attend to people who come here with problems. So, I don't know who is offended, why should this evil befall me?” she queried.

She described her situation as unbearable, adding that it would only take the grace of God for her to overcome the traumatic experience. She called on the Federal and state governments to urgently apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

"Though, nothing can bring them back or quantify the losses, but government should come to the aid of grieving families and ensure peace thrives in Omoku because we are tired.''