Address Worsening Security Situation In Abia LGAs, Reps Tell IGP

The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved that the Inspector General of Police should urgently address the worsening security in Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Local Government Areas of Abia State and arrest the criminals terrorizing the areas.

The Committee on Police Affairs was mandated to ensure compliance.

The House resolution followed a motion of urgent importance by Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha on addressing the worsening security situation in Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.

The House noted that there is an increasingly disturbing security situation in and around Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Local Government Areas of Abia State which, unless urgent steps are taken, may degenerate to chaos and lawlessness.

READ ALSO: Insecurity: Abia Lawmaker, Okoroafor Urges Police To Increase Efforts

They also noted that virtually all roads that lead to the areas have been taken over by criminals, killer herdsmen and bandits who lay siege on the people of the local government areas, maiming, robbing, kidnapping, raping, and killing the people and travellers.

The lawmakers informed that there has not been a single day in the last five months that there were no reported cases of abductions, robberies, theft, or some form of criminality in and around the two local government areas.

They said the criminal elements were so audacious that they operate in broad daylight and night time, mostly without any interference from Security operatives;

The lawmakers said they were aware that victims of those murderous gangs range from poor peasant farmers, old and young people, travellers, traditional and political leaders, among others.

They pointed out the case of one Mr. Obiajulu Okafor who was kidnapped, together with his wife and driver on 2nd January 2021, which forced his family to pay a ransom of N22 million to secure their release.

They recalled that that on 6 October 2020, in two separate incidents, the Chairman (Transition Committee) of Isuikwuato Local Government Area and the member representing Isuikwuato Local Government Area in Abia State House of Assembly, were attacked on the same road and while the House Member was lucky to have escaped unharmed (with a bullet-ridden vehicle), the Transition Committee Chairman paid a ransom to regain his freedom from the kidnappers.

READ ALSO: Insecurity: Abia Assembly Members Weep, Invite Security Heads

The House expressed worry that the people of Isuikwuato and Ummunneochi can no longer go to their farms or engage in other means of gaining a livelihood for fear of being abducted, raped, or killed by herdsmen and criminals who have taken over their farmlands and roadways.

They said unless urgent and drastic measures are taken to halt the tide and combat those criminal elements terrorizing the constituency, calamity may befall the areas as the people may tend to take the laws into their hands, which may lead to a state of anarchy.