By Praise Chinecherem
The Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide Youth Wing has called on Abia State and Federal Government as well as security agencies to urgently initiate measures to permanently address the rising cases of criminal activities along the Aba-Okigwe-Enugu road.
In recent times, the road has been a major flashpoint, witnessing all manner of crimes such as kidnapping, killings, rape and extortion.
A visit to the dual carriage expressway showed that a thick bush has grown in between the two major expressway, making it practically impossible for travelers on both sides to see what is going on on either lanes.
These bushes according to some travelers, have constituted a hide-out for criminal to lurk around in wait for innocent citizens, who they wish to unleash mayhem on.
Speaking on the development, Acting National Youth Leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezukwu regretted that the Aba-Okigwe-Enugu road has become a major flashpoint, with many people kidnapped and attacked.
He expressed worry that despite the incessant reports of criminal activities along the road, nothing has been done to check the ugly incident.
He said, “We are worried that crime along this road has gone unabated. People are still kidnapped and attacked on the road.
“Many cases have been reported there and it appears nothing is being done.
”Till today, even after the shocking discovery at the Lokpanta Cattle Market, more heinous crimes are still being perpetrated there.
”We have heard accounts of relatives of persons who were kidnapped, who said they were directed by the kidnappers to bring the ransom money to the same market.
”It begs the question, why has nothing been done about this situation.”
Okpalaezeukwu called on the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, to immediately take necessary action to arrest the situation to protect lives of people of the state and travelers on the road.
According to him, the call has become more imperative in view of forthcoming Yuletide season when many people would be returning home for Christmas festivities.
“The security efforts should start with the immediate cutting down and clearing of the thick bushes growing in between the roads.
“Also, constant patrol should be conducted along the road to ensure that any criminal case is tackled immediately.
“There is also need to apply some technologies such aerial surveillance using drones, to scan the entire area and identify the camps of these criminals so that they can be smoked out.
“Government cannot continue to renege on this very expedient task while residents and travelers are kidnapped and attacked on a daily basis.
“Any government that fails in the area of protection of lives and property has failed completely. It therefore should fall under the first line charge of Governor Otti to arrest the insecurity along the area,” Okpalaezeukwu posited.
