The Catholic Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most Rev. Augustine T. Ukwuoma, on Thursday, 21st July, 2022 paid a condolence visit to the Okafor family of Umubochi, Awo-omamma to commiserate with the family on the unfortunate rampage that was perpetrated by some members of the Ebubeagu Security Outfit of the Imo State Government, which occurred on Sunday 17th July.
The Bishop was accompanied by some his priests of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu and the Spiritan Congregation working in the community.
He went round, observed the level of devastation that took place and was later welcomed by the priests working in the different parishes within the Awo-omamma community. Awo-Omamma is in Oru East LGA of Imo State.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Chidimma Okafor narrated how the carnage and destruction was executed.
She said that the carnage happened during the traditional wedding of one of their daughters.
As the wedding was about to be concluded, there were sporadic gunshots and guests started running for safety.
According to Chidimma, “Some of the guests who came for the traditional wedding were killed. One of the wedding guests shot at ran into the compound bleeding and begging for assistance.
He was chased into the compound by the gunmen, bullets into his chest and he died on the spot. He would have been saved if relations were allowed to protect their guests”.
Speaking during the visit, Bishop Ukwuoma expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family.
“On hearing the unfortunate incident, he said, I and the priests of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu decided to come and pay our condolences and identify with you in this moment of grief and hardship”.
He urged the family to maintain peace and avoid any form of retaliation and to place everything into the hands of God. He then presented some food stuff, clothing material and cash gifts to the family.
