Member representing Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Local Government Areas Of Abia State Mr. Amobi Ogar. Photo: Ibrahim Shehu/radio Nigeria
A member of the House of Representatives representing Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Local Government Areas Of Abia State, Mr. Amobi Ogar, has appealed to security agencies to curb the incessant incidences of kidnappings in the state.
Briefing the House Press Corps on a motion he moved on the matter, Mr Ogar says insecurity is a big challenge in the southeast that requires urgent attention by the the Federal government.
The lawmaker stated that people in the state are being kidnapped for ransom of as low as N50,000.
“Kidnaping has become akara business. To the extent that they now go into peoples homes inside villages to carry them. On the express those ones will carry you and demands for millions of naira. My people are passing through a lot”. Mr. Ogar said.
“If the people are not protected, what’s the essence of government? I am calling upon the president, the Chief of Army Staff, the IG and other relevant security agencies to come to our aid. So that my can live in peace. As I’m talking to you, a lot of villagers have fled their homes. Even our mothers do not go to farms anymore”. said Mr Ogar.
The lawmaker acknowledge the efforts the state government in crime reduction, adding that there are plans to form vigilante groups as a part of an Ad-hoc solution to the challenge.
The lawmaker had, during the presentation of the motion at plenary, said there was need to increase military presence and patrols in the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway through Lokpanta, Ihube-Isuochi Road, Uturu-Okigwe Road, ABSU junction-Akara Road, Uturu-Afikpo Road
Other roads are Umuaku-Umunze Road, Awgu-Ishiagu Road and other roads within Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Local Government Areas to restore normalcy and earn the confidence of citizens as they carry out their daily business activities.
He also urged the Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police and Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to set up a joint patrol team to comb the farmlands and forests to root out all criminal
elements in the area.
Reporting by Ibrahim Shehu; Editing by Chinasa Ossai and Adeniyi Bakare