We’ll Use Our Local Hunters To Protect Ourselves If.., Abia Lawmaker Warns Fulani Bandits

The Member representing Bende North constituency of Abia State, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu has called on the Fulani community in the state to call their killer squad who disguise as herdsmen to order.

The lawmaker said if the killing and kidnap of Abians and visitors is not checkmated, the communities will make use of their local hunters to protect themselves.

He expressed anger that parts of Isuikwuato local government and Bende have become a hotbed of criminality, saying about 10 persons have in the past 10 days been kidnapped in the areas.

In a chat with ABN TV on Saturday, Hon. Chukwu called on the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, and heads of security agencies to rise to the growing insecurity in the entire state.

According to Hon. Chukwu, kidnap for ransom has become a daily occurrence in his constituency and beyond, warning Fulani community to call their gang of killers to order.

“They must identify the influx of bandits disguising as herdsmen. If nothing is done in the next two weeks, we will involve hunters to defend our communities.

“There has been no pronouncement from the Commissioner of Police, no pronouncement from the Army, no pronouncement from the DSS over their security concerns and it is unacceptable to us,” he said.

He further alleged that a former TC chairman of Isuikwuato was kidnapped and later released after the payment of ransom.

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In his response, the Public Relations Officer Abia State Police Command, Ogbonna Geoffrey decried the inability of the community to report kidnap and other criminal cases to the police.

While admitting knowledge of the kidnap of former TC chairman Isuikwuato local government, he denied awareness of any other kidnap that has taken place after then.

According to the Police spokesman, it is not enough to apportion blames that the security agencies are not doing enough, maintaining that the collaboration of the community is important in driving an effective policing system through information volunteering.