Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah has moved a motion to tackle the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements operating in communities around his constituency and beyond.
Moving the motion on the floor of the House, the lawmaker said the activities of those who commit heinous crimes along Isuochi and Ihube has forced the military to close traffic at Momara military checkpoint for a long time, causing hardship for road users along the axis.
Hon. Ogah expressed concern that the Lokpanta regional cattle market located along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway is being used as a human shield despite the heavy presence of military checkpoints around the axis.
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While noting that traders in the cattle market are largely peaceful and loving people, the lawmaker expressed worry that the continuous use of the cattle market as a human shield could make it vulnerable to attacks.
Speaking further, the Labour Party chief said the incessant attacks in communities within Isuikwuato and Umunneochi local governments has forced residents to flee their homes, abandoning their farmlands and other means of livelihood.
He noted that the users of Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, through Lokpanta, Ihube-Isuochi Road, Uturu-Okigwe Road, ABSU Junction, Akara Road, Uturu-Afikpo Road, Umuaku-Umunze Road, Awgu-Ishiagu Road and other roads within Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency have faced untold hardship and security threats.
He, therefore, called for increased presence of the military and patrols to restore normalcy and increase the confidence of citizens who live and conduct their businesses in the affected areas.
He further urged the House to liaise with the executive for immediate deployment of men of the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to the affected communities so that normalcy could be restored.
