Many residents, especially mothers of Okuama-Ewu community, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, collapsed on sighting their shattered homes when they returned on Wednesday after the Nigerian Army pulled out of the embattled riverine settlement.
Vanguard visited the community yesterday and learned that the blood pressure of some residents shot up when they saw the level of devastation and it took hours to revive them. Many returnee villagers looked confused as they bemoaned their plight.
I lost consciousness – Mrs. Adam, 65-yr mother
Sixty-five- year old Maria Adam who fled Okuama-Ewu on March 15 and returned May 8, said, “On arrival when I saw the level of destruction, I fainted and was revived because I suffered hypertension.
”I lost eight basins loaded with wrappers, all burned, and my 20 crates of minerals (soft drinks) destroyed, including the building. I am confused about starting all over again and I call on the government to come to our aid.
”There is a great difference between the community and the bush where we took cover because in my village, I have hope that I will live again. It will take until evening to count what I lost.
”At night, we sleep at the empty jetty and the Anglican Church, the only building remaining.
”Feeding is difficult; we call on the government to come to our aid, as we have started fishing, but no pot, no ingredients to cook.”
Looters who stormed the community from neighboring communities after soldiers exited, she said.
“Yes, some looters came and our youth caught some of them. They retrieved rods and other things from them at the jetty. They looted our cassava engine, which is what led to the fracas.
“We have not heard anything from the state government’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) committee since we came.”
I fell ill when I saw the devastation — Mrs. Joseph, farmer
Mrs. Vero Joseph, a 68-year-old farmer, who also fled Okuama-Ewu on March 15 and returned May 8, said, “On arrival at the community and seeing the devastation, I fell terribly sick; nothing is left here.
”They destroyed everything, including our houses, utensils and clothes. To start life afresh is the only way, which is going to be difficult.
“However, coming back to my home is better than going back to the bush. This is our hometown and we are pleased to be back home.
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