Members of Abia State House of Assembly have invited the Executive Chairman, Umunneochi Local Government Area, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Homeland Security, and the Chairman of Lokpanta cattle market for interaction over the growing security concerns in the local government.
This follows a matter of urgent public importance raised during plenary at the floor of the Assembly on Wednesday by the member representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Hon Barr Okey Igwe.
The lawmaker said kidnappers, bandits and armed robbers have besieged his constituency, alleging that the matter has got so bad that his constituents now live in fear, requesting the House to intervene and help bring the ugly situation under control.
Hon Igwe also said that the perpetrators of the nefarious activities in Umunneochi now use Lokpanta cattle market as their den from where they unleash terror on innocent citizens.
He, therefore, urged the House to invite the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area to come and explain to the House his challenges leading to the dwindling security situation at Lokpanta cattle market in particular and the Local Government in general.
In addition, he urged the House to mandate the Ministry of Homeland Security to liaise with the local vigilante groups in the area to help other security agencies present there.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji in his comment said the safety of lives and property of Abians is of paramount importance to the House.
He said the general security situation in the country is worrisome and as such, every government agency in the State must rise up to the occasion and make sure the State is kept free from hoodlums and invaders.
He, therefore, mandated the Clerk of the House to, as a matter of urgency, send a letter of invitation to the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Chairman of Lokpanta cattle market for interaction with the Honourable Members on finding lasting solutions to the menace.
