This was 1999, November. Some 10 policeman were allegedly killed by youths of Odi, a sleepy town in Bayelsa State. The repercussions were grave.

When soldiers drafted to the town to fish out the killers left; what remained of Odi were tears, sorrow and pain.

Odi was leveled and so also were its women defiled. As at the time the Sun visited the town, the concerns centered round the hordes of children who will never know their father.

To us, our concern is the number of people who have been unknowingly infected with the HIV virus. If we will agree that the pictures here are not imported from outer galaxy, then we should appreciate the implication this dastardly acts is probably having at this time.

Only time as people say will tell. But, as a people and as a nation, our intervention efforts will not be complete if for instance we do not realize that the situation in Odi deserves our urgent attention, even if its just for the sake of the children that are now involved, and the women who are always at the receiving end of our insincerity, especially now that our head of governments are gathered in Abuja deliberating on the impacts of HIV/AIDS in the lives of our people.

- Photos: The Sun Newspaper