By Emmanuel Uzodinma Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed outrage over what it called near total bre...
By Emmanuel Uzodinma
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has
expressed outrage over what it called near total breakdown of security along
the Enugu-Ugwuogo Nike-Nsukka Road.
The alarm is contained in a statement made available to
DAILY POST on Thursday by the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth
Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike.
He said it was disheartening that despite the heavy presence
of security operatives on the road, including the military and the police, the
hoodlums were carrying out their rampaging activities unchallenged.
On Sunday, kidnappers suspected to be Fulani herdsmen had
blocked the road abducting many commuters in the process. Some of the victims
are said to be returning students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN.
Four days later, the criminals are said to be having a
smooth operation. Similar operations have been carried out within the same axis
consistently for over a month.
Reacting, Okwu said the development was unacceptable, urging
the security agencies to look inwards.
He said, “We are saddened that the all important
Enugu-Ugwuogo Nike-Nsukka Road has now become impassable because of the
activities of rampaging Fulani herdsmen.
“No day passes by without sad stories from commuters and
their loved ones. Just this Sunday, some travellers, including returning
students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, were abducted by the
gunmen.
“As we speak, not one of them has been released or rescued
by security operatives. The kidnappers are demanding millions of naira.
“Today again, Thursday, information reaching us indicates
that the armed men are back on the same road, and have succeeded in taking
hostage many travellers.
“This calls to question the role of the various security
checkpoints mounted on that road, including the Army and the Police. Feelers
are alleging that there is internal collaboration between some of them and the
hoodlums.
“We are urging the Army and the Police hierarchy to launch a
discreet investigation and find out those providing a safe haven for these
criminals.
“We have had enough sorrowful incidents on that road; we
have had enough assurances from the police but it has not translated into
results.”
The Igbo group demanded that “every effort should be made to
free all hostages. The perpetrators should also be arrested forthwith and all
forms of crimes should be stopped on that road.
“We learnt that they operating from Ekwegbe Agu forest.
Security agencies should move in there and smoke them out. This is the only way
for the security agencies to redeem their image and earn the trust of the
people.”
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