By James Nnenji | 22 June 2022
Ngadibe, Matangwene: Several villages in the Matangwene Province were reportedly burned early this morning. The death toll is unknown, and many locals fled the area. These villages include Sagambe, Osaala, Nkurubini, and Wesedo. The Matangwene Provincial government has declared that two fire-fighter teams were dispatched from the capital in Ngadibe at around 9:00 this morning, but the damage was already done. Around 100 homes were burned in their report, and several dozen killed, with hundreds suffering from severe burns in these night attacks. Few reports form locals have been given out, but one local told newspapers that "the attackers came and went, they did not take anything, only burned our homes and ran".
At around 12:00PM the Matangwene Police held a press conference along with local military commanders in the province. The Provincial Police Commander, Charlie Omaro, gave his update on situation. He stated that police investigators spoke with locals and ruled out the possibility of a natural fire, and the investigation led to the conclusion that it was a deliberate attack. Omaro and the military officials also agreed that the attack was likely committed by MIRIF or MIRIF sympathizers, due to the proximity between the villages burned and the Matangwene-Magadi border. Omaro would declare that "these perpetrators will be found and justice will be brought to the villagers of Matangwene Province".
This attack also drew attention from Matangwene Senators Martin Idris and Manuel Esato. Idris spoke out saying "this was a clear increase in aggression from MIRIF, and that their wrath now targets Sotirians both inside and outside of the Magadi Region". Esato stated in an online post "these attacks are more reason for action in the Magadi, and that their boldness has grown". Other leaders in the Republic Assembly also called for increased military presence in the west and tougher crackdowns on the crossing of the Magadi border. TDP Congressman Emeka Chizoba called the government action on the MIRIF threat "lackluster" and stated that change had to come soon if peace in Tiwura is to be maintained.
Military spokesperson Amy Taiwo-Giles would hold release a separate report on the escalation by MIRIF forces. The report claims that MIRIF has mostly operated in the manner of a military force, rarely targeting civilians as far away as Matangwene. The report also stated that the government is considering looking into increased military deployment in the region. They also now are planning on forming some solution to MIRIF insurgents sneaking through the military checkpoints in the Magadi region into the other parts of Tiwura, but no answer has been given on to what exactly this means.
The post will keep updates on the situation and the future of what the response by the military will be against the insurgent crisis.
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