…Directs Herders To Vacate The Bush
FIC Report (Abia State) – Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has promised to liase with Leaders and Stakeholders of Umunneochi LGA with a view to putting an end to kidnapping and other social vices that have become the order of the day in the area.
Governor Ikpeazu who was addressing the people of Umunneochi LGA during a meeting at the Palace of Eze Godson Ezekwesiri at Umuelem Isuochi, said that the issue of insecurity in Umunneochi and its neighbouring communities has become a matter of great concern, adding that it pains him to see any Abian in danger.
The Governor noted that many steps had been taken in the past, adding that government will no longer treat the matter with kids glove considering that the recent kidnapping of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria would mark the end of kidnappings around that area.
The Governor decried the worsening state of insecurity across the country and called for concerted efforts to deal with the situation.
Governor Ikpeazu therefore, directed Stakeholders of Umunneochi to articulate various flash points in the area for immediate action, restating that the ban on open grazing is still in full force and promised to do all it takes to put an end to the menace.
Speaking earlier, the Methodist Archbishop of Okigwe Archdiocese, The Most Rev. Biereonwu Onuagha who regretted that Umunneochi has been turned into a money making centre for kidnappers and other criminals called for the reopening of the Ihube-Lomara road, noting that the closure of the road turned it into a known flash point for criminals.
Archbishop Onuagha also called for the immediate relocation of the Lokpanta Cattle Market which he described as a security threat to them and thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his role in this timely measures.
Also in their speeches, a former Chairman of the old Isuikwuato LGA, Chief Uzo Egbo and the Chairman of the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council who is also the Traditional Ruler of Aro Ikpa Autonomous Community, Eze Ernest Onwuka noted that Umunneochi as a Local Government shares borders with all the South East States makes the area vulnerable to all sorts of crimes as over 300 incidences of kidnapping have been recorded along the Leru-Lomara-Nneato road in within a short period of time.
They called for the dismantling of various military check points in the area and thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for coming to their rescue as their Sons and Daughters no longer visit home due to prevailing insecurity in the area.
Consequent upon the fact finding visit of the Security conscious and caring Governor of Abia State to the scenes of incessant Kidnappings and killings in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State
Arising from the extensive interactive sessions which His Excellency, Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has been having with Umunneochi Leaders, Stakeholders and Security Agencies, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu hereby directs as follows:
1. That the Commissioner of Police, Abia State alongside with Umunneochi Youths, provide immediate Security along the Ihube to Isuochi Road stretching from Ngodo through Lomara Junction all the Way to Ihube.
2. Upon the implementation of the above directive, The Governor directs the Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, Chief Ifeanyi Madu to open the Road leading from Ihube through Lomara Junction to Ngodo Isuochi immediately.
3. The Commissioner of Police, Abia State has been mandated to draw up logistic requirements for mounting six additional check points at strategic locations across Umunneochi LGA.
4. Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu hereby directs that all settlers, herders and individuals residing inside the forests around Umunneochi LGA to vacate such locations with immediate effect. Government can no longer guarantee the safety of any person or group found to be residing in the forests around Umunneochi LGA.
5. All Cows and herders around Umunneochi LGA are hereby restricted strictly to the Cattle Market located at Umuchieze until a final decision is reached concerning the menace in the Cattle Market.
6. The Leadership of the Youths of Umunneochi LGA, Vigilante Groups, Hunters and the Hausa Community will continue to meet with the Governor until an amicable solution is found to the incessant cases of Insecurity in the area.
7. His Excellency, Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu urges all Parties to show restraint and circumspection in their utterances and actions in order to maintain the peace and promote peaceful coexistence of all law abiding citizens.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had on arrival visited the scene where the kidnapping of the Methodist Prelate His Eminence, Samuel Kanu Uche and his Team took place while the Commissioner for Information, Dr Eze Chikamnayo, Chief Ndidi Okereke, the Member representing Umunneochi State Constituency , Hon. Okey Igwe, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe, the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, Chief Ifeanyi Madu, Traditional Rulers, Top Religious Leaders and other Stakeholders in the area were present at the meeting.
