Tension in Imo community as Red Scorpion militants regroup

Peace is once again threatened in the oil rich communities of Ohaji/Egbema and Ogutal LGAs as the Red Scorpion militants are said to have started regrouping for more attacks against individuals and oil companies.

Their regrouping is coming barely one week after a large number of the militants surrendered their arms to the state government in what was acclaimed to be a major step towards permanent peace.

Daily Trust gathered that some of the arms surrendered were inferior ones while the superior ones were hidden for more attacks should government fail to meet their demands.

A community leader, Chief Ben Onyenwoke told Daily Trust in Owerri yesterday that some leaders of the Red Scorpion who refused to surrender their arms on the 14th September at the Government House were now armed to the teeth.

He said that leaders of the militants identified as Felix, Charlie, and Emenike, among others who ran away to the neighbouring town of Omoku in Rivers state on the day of the surrendering of arms had returned to their base in apparent preparation for attack.

Meanwhile, Governor Rochas Okorocha had on the day of the event told the repentant Avengers and some members of Red Scorpion militants that he would not hesitate to send soldiers and other security agencies against them if they continued to carry arms after surrendering them.

While assuring to do all within his power to address some of the demands of the militants, he advised them to embrace peace.