For nearly five years, the South-East was trapped in the grip of terror. Criminal gangs wreaked havoc across the region, burning communities, kidnapping for ransom, and killing indiscriminately. Anambra and Imo bore the brunt of the violence — once bustling areas turned into ghost towns. Mondays became forced sit-at-home days, enforced through brutal attacks. Forest camps in Ukpor, Lilu, Orsumoghu, and Uli became strongholds of terror, where abductees were tortured and killed. Survivors described these camps as “hell on earth,” recounting scenes of horror, drug use, and public executions.
Life in these communities was unbearable. People couldn’t move freely, businesses collapsed, and fear reigned everywhere. Security officers were prime targets, and entire villages were deserted. But through sustained joint efforts between security agencies and local vigilantes, hope is returning. Residents who once fled in fear are slowly coming home, and normal life is reemerging in places that once symbolized chaos. Political rallies and markets have resumed in Anambra — a sign that calm is being restored.
The crisis began in Imo State around early 2020, shortly after Governor Hope Uzodimma took office. Gunmen, later dubbed Unknown Gunmen, launched waves of attacks on government facilities, security posts, and civilians. Uzodimma accused political opponents of sponsoring the violence and vowed to “make the state ungovernable for those plotting against it.” However, when he promised to name the sponsors of the insecurity in January 2022, the anticipated revelation never came — deepening speculation and distrust among citizens.
The situation escalated when gunmen attacked the Imo Correctional Centre and Police Command Headquarters, freeing over 1,500 inmates and burning vehicles. Soon, rural communities in Orsu, Okigwe, and other parts of the state were overtaken. Residents abandoned their homes, schools, and churches as the attackers established control, occupying buildings and terrorizing locals. In many areas, even basic ceremonies like weddings and burials were moved to Owerri or other safe cities.
The turning point came in March 2025, when security forces stormed Edenta Produce Camp — one of the most fortified hideouts in Orsu. In a fierce battle, over 20 gunmen were neutralized, and hundreds of human skulls were discovered at the site. The operation reclaimed multiple communities, including Ubahaezike, Amadim, and Ezeogwu, marking a symbolic victory. The reopening of the Orsu Divisional Police Headquarters — once destroyed — became a sign that the tide was finally turning.
Gradually, life is returning. In a viral video, youths from Orsu-Ihiteukwa were seen dancing in celebration, urging displaced residents to return. Locals now hold burials and festivals at home again. “Nothing feels like home,” said Geoffrey Okereke, a returning resident of Ubahaezike. “For years, we couldn’t bury our loved ones. But now, peace has returned.”
In Okigwe, calm followed the military’s arrest of the dreaded gang leader, Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, better known as Gentle De Yahoo. His reign of terror had turned the area into a war zone. Following his capture, local businessmen initiated programs — including a ₦5 million table tennis tournament — to revive community spirit and economic life.
Now, after years of bloodshed, the South-East is breathing again. The guns are quieter, roads are reopening, and hope is creeping back into once-deserted towns. Residents are praying that this peace — long delayed and hard-earned — will finally endure.
