While a typical Nigerian politician or elected representative usually stop at sending sympathies to their afflicted constituents or people, the member of House of Representatives representing Ideato North and South in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has demonstrated the biblical injunction of faith with action for the families of slain members of his constituency.
St. James says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26). So Ugochinyere after condoling with and condemning the
brutal killings in Umualaoma and Arondizuogu in his constituency, initiated a fund raising to support their families.
Unknown gunmen on the chilly Friday of July 25, 2025, killed no fewer than seven persons in coordinated attacks on three communities of Umualoma, Ndiakunwanta, and Ndiejezie, in Arondizuogu, all Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo state.
The gunmen, who were said to have operated on a motorbike, shot sporadically, leaving several villagers with gunshot wounds.
The ideato lawmaker also followed the divine requirement of mourning with those who mourn and defending the defenceless by condemning the brutal killings and moving down to Ideato personally to mourn and condole with bereaved families.
“I was deeply shaken this morning by the shocking news of the heartless killing in cold blood of our brothers and sisters in Umuolaoma and Arondizuogu. I stand with you in this darkest hour. My heart bleeds as I mourn with the people of Umuolaoma and Arondizuogu, whose loved ones were brutally murdered. I condemn in the strongest terms the Ideato massacre, an atrocity that has left our communities in pain and anguish. We demand justice for the victims and their families.
“The state and federal governments must take immediate action to protect our local communities, apprehend the perpetrators, and provide the necessary support to prevent future attacks. We need enhanced security measures that incorporate local intelligence gathering and seamless collaboration with our local police. This will enable us to stay one step ahead of these terrorists and safeguard our people.
“Furthermore, I strongly advocate for the establishment of a vigilante squad, comprising local residents, police, DSS, and army personnel, to respond swiftly and decisively to emergencies. This joint effort will ensure that our communities are protected and that those who seek to harm us are brought to justice.
“Additionally, our local government area requires financial empowerment to sustain security efforts and ensure that our communities are safe and secure. This will enable us to invest in the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and personnel to prevent future attacks and respond effectively to emergencies.
“We will not rest until justice is served and our communities are safe. I stand with our brothers and sisters in Umuolaoma and Arondizuogu, and I pledge to work tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard. May God comfort the families of the victims and grant us peace in this time of sorrow,” he stated.
More than that, Ugochinyere started the initiative to raise N50 million from friends and associates to support families of victims of the mindless violence and blood-letting in Ideato.
“The funds will provide additional support to families of victims of the killings in Umualaoma, Ndi Ejezie, Ndiakunwata, and Akokwa communities.
“Since neither the state government nor the local government offered assistance to the victims’ families – three weeks after 26 people were killed – Ikenga took it upon himself to personally support the families and also drag his friends and associates to contribute to the intervention fund.
“The support will primarily benefit orphans, widows, and families of victims slain during the attack; helping them rebuild their lives, while also aiding communities affected by the crisis,” Charles Okafor, the GDF Media Director had said.
Within a short spate of time, the goal was achieved and exceeded the N50million target now ready for disbursement.
“The N50m targeted donation which Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere was seeking from his friends and associates, to help support families that lost their loved ones through the activities of unknown gunmen has been achieved.
“The funds received so far have reached the targeted N50m and exceeded a little bit. This will be used to support the welfare of the victims’ families, education and businesses, including the vigilantes in the affected communities. Preparation is ongoing for the public disbursement of the funds.
“Ikenga thanks his friends and associates for answering the humanitarian call to support his people in this trying time. We hope that the Local and State Governments will in their duty also come to the aid of these communities by not just supporting the victims but empowering the community securities in all Ideato communities to avert a repeat of these kind of bloody carnage and killings,” Okafor, the GDF Media Director announced on Thursday.
