Following the rising wave of kidnapping and other forms of crime bedeviling Isuikwuato local government axis of Abia state, security experts have expressed worries and proffered solution to the security threat.
Some security experts in the state spoke on a live radio program on Flo-Fm 94.9 on the way forward in tackling the security challenges in the state.
Recently, lots of criminal activities such as kidnapping, murder, robbery etc has been the order of the day as constantly reported from Isuikuato local government area and environs of Abia state.
The former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen.Azubuike Onyeabor Ihejirika, who was a guest on the program, confirmed the attack by bandits in the area, he also noted a victim who was shot dead last week.
A driver last week was reportedly killed along Akoli-Isuikwuato road between 4pm to 4:30pm on 28th, January, 2021.
Information has it that when the driver sighted the kidnappers he made attempt to escape, to prevent him from escaping the criminals opened fire thereby killing the driver who is also the owner of the vehicle.
In proffering solution , Gen.Azubuike said “there is nothing like killer herdsmen but bandits and herdsmen.
“As am speaking, am in Abuja to alert the security operatives about the situation on ground. But before now I have had lengthy discussion with the commissioner of police and we have worked out some strategy. I have given some advice and am happy with the action she has taken in the last few days.
” It was unfortunate that this kidnapping lasted for too long until a life was lost.”
The General also added that some of the recommendations he wants to make cannot be done on air. But one of the recommendations he gave publicly was that Abia state government should embark on repair of the bad road spots, “if not the whole road which I know resources may not permit.” He added.
“They should address all the bad spots in the local government, not just in Isuikwuato but all the local government.”
“Bad roads makes motorist to slow down, giving this criminals time and chance to come out of the bush to attack comutters.
“A criminal is a criminal no matter his or her ethnicity”. Gen.Azubuike affirmed.
The general also added that investigation with the locals should be done because bandits can operates with the collaboration of locals.
Also speaking during the program was Chief Raymond Nkemdirim, former DSS Director on mop-up operations, who also doubles as the Chairman of Flo-Fm.
Chief Raymond on his part recalled how he proposed in a lecture he delivered in 2017, where he pointed out the need to checkmate illegal settlement of people in Isuikwuato that may become “potential ground for breeding conflict”.
He also noted that the lecture he delivered then “must be a prophecy because it has come to pass”.
His word: “The problems of Isuikwuato has been discovered long before now. It’s only important that we look at the recommendations in that paper as it varies now, one of the recommendation given in the paper was setting up a security trust fund. We as responsible citizens should assist government as much as we can to ensure we enhance the security of our respective areas.
Am looking forward as a people, with the help of our town unions, we will be able to bring our various vigilante groups together, to comb the bushes and get these people out of our territory.
” We should come out as a people, burn or clear those Bushes, and ensure that we provide no hiding places for them.” Chief Raymond said.
While responding to questions bordering on the role locals or indigiens can play in enhancing security, chief Raymond said: “Every community must take charge of its particular environment, they must know if there’s any illegal settlement in the community”
Donald Iroham, former Assistant Inspector general of Police also participated. On his part, he said, “let us stop sugar coating some of these things because they are real, the idea of desert encroachment is real, people are moving from the strings of the desert, from Libya, Niger, Chad and they are all moving to Nigeria. They are looking for new homes”.
“Fulanis are wanderers,and we know that. How come when you have Fulani herdsmen, you will have bandits? Do they go hand in hand? Let us separate the chaff from the real thing. We have to stop sugar coating, let us call a spade a spade.”
Speaking on the rate of unemployment in the state as a possible contributor, Donald Iroham said “there is no job creation in Abia state”.
“The whole thing in Abia state is politics, a little child talks about politics.
“If you are elected by the people, you have to work out the goals, there must be a template prepared to fight crime. The youths are jobless and they are looking for jobs”.
Isuikwuato, in Abia State is popularly refered to the land of the Generals due to their love for military service which has earned them top military Generals.
Disclaimer: Candid Reporters publishes news, information, sports, opinions, and Interviews. The site includes both reported and edited content. Unmoderated posts and Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Candid Reporters or any employee thereof..
