The House of Representatives has tasked the National Security Adviser, NSA, and other security chiefs to take urgent steps to stop continuous killings, destruction of property, and kidnapping by bandits in Enugu State.
The call followed the adoption of a motion moved by Paul Nmamchi, on the “urgent need to intervene in the incessant killing and kidnapping by bandits in Eha Amufu communities in Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Enugu State.”
In his lead debate, Nmamchi said that the incessant killings and attacks on Eha amufu communities in Enugu East/ Isi-Uzo Federal constituency of Enugu State have kept the area under perpetual siege.
“In the last two years, over five hundred innocent lives had been lost most viciously, with several kidnapped and uncounted for, while properties worth billions of Naira have been damaged”, in the area, which shares boundaries with the Agala Community in Benue State.
“The prevalence and abhorrent kidnapping of women, including minors by herdsmen and bandits in the area are alarming. The bandits are still operating from the forest reserve spanning about 10km where they have converted to their permanent base to perpetuate their heinous crime against these innocent communities.”
The lawmaker, who bemoaned that thus far, none of the perpetrators have been arrested, said “Survivors have abandoned their farmlands and displaced from their ancestral homes for fear of being killed.”
The House also asked the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to immediately provide relief materials to victims.
It also tasked security agencies to unravel those behind criminal activities in the area and bring them to justice.
The House, however, mandated its committees on National Security and Intelligence, Army, Police Affai, and Legislative Compliance to ensure that the relevant officials and agencies comply with the resolution.