The youth leader of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia state, Prince Divine Uche has alleged that herdsmen now invade homes to grab women for rape in communities in the area.
Uche who disclosed this while speaking at Umunneochi Council headquarters when Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, visited the people to identify with them over their predicaments, lamented that before now, only women who went to the farm were abducted and raped by the rampaging herders but nowadays, they invade homes to grab women for rape.
According to him, the herders stormed Umuerem village to grab a woman in her house but unfortunately for them the villagers raised alarm and they fled back to the forest.
Speaking further, he lamented that after the kidnap of the Methodist Prelate, Dr Samuel Uche, herdsmen kidnap people at ease around Umunneochi, despite the presence of military checkpoint at Lomara junction.
” Three days ago, a boy of less than 15 years was Kidnapped. The other day, they also Kidnapped another boy riding motorcycle and took him to the bush demanding N3 million ransom. But the boy is a prayer warrior, he prayed and they slept then he escaped but he was severely tortured.”
“The youths would no longer watch helplessly if Government failed to take action”, he said.
He thanked Senator Ohuabunwa for coming to identify with the people even though he was no longer in power, while pleading with him to explore his network and contacts to help end the people’s misery.
The youth leader said that the activities of kidnappers had crippled the economy of Umunneochi as traders have deserted their markets while their people living abroad also avoid coming home.
In his remarks, Sen. Ohuabunwa decried the menacing activities of kidnappers in the area and the failure of the federal government to arrest the situation.
The former Leader ECOWAS Parliament said he was disturbed as he read about the activities of kidnappers in the area, and decided to solidarize with the people because of his affection for them.
He said that only proper legislation would arrest the festering insecurity in the country as the Executive Arm of Government has failed to take necessary action to curb and menace.
The former Senate Committee Chairman on Primary Health and Communicable Diseases, recalled that while he was still in the Senate, he was the first Senator to raise the alarm on the floor of the Senate over the dangers posed by herdsmen in Umunneochi following a complaint by a traditional ruler that a primary school and a police post at Lokpa were sacked by herders with their cows.
Ohuabunwa who said that “Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gun powder” as a result of worsening insecurity, challenged security agencies to rise to the occasion.
He noted that self defense would be the natural response to invasion of ones domain by strangers.
” If you are in your house and someone comes to kill you what will you do? Government should not allow this situation to escalate”.
He assured the youths of his total support towards efforts to contain insecurity in the area but pleaded with them not to take laws into their hands.
Senator Ohuabunwa regretted that ” those who boasted of bringing RUGA and cattle market to the area have all gone mute as the people are being consumed by the dividends of their RUGA”.
” I’m ashamed of the condition of Abia North. Somebody who proudly said he brought RUGA to Umunneochi is there and the people are getting consumed by what he brought. Instead of bringing solution, he is busy proposing Muslim/ Muslim ticket, and talking of how he will be sweeping Aso Rock if his friend becomes the President; meanwhile, his home is on fire”.
He urged the people to remain security conscious as well as get their voter’s card ready ahead of 2023 , and use it to end bad governance and “government of insecurity”.
In a remark, member representing Umunneochi state constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Okey Igwe, noted that what is happening in the area was a microcosm of the breakdown in the security architecture of the country.
He regretted that the security agencies had not been able to arrest the situation but hinted that local solution was being worked out.
Speaking earlier, the Council boss, Hon. Ifeanyi Madu, said the people of Umunneochi irrespective of their party affiliations, were united in the fight against insecurity.
He noted that the Kidnappers “do not discriminate against the political party of their victims”, hence, the need for unity and synergy among the people against the monsters.
In a remark, an illustrious son of the area and Chief Executive of Mainland Oil and Gas Limited, Chief Chris Igwe, decried the rising wave of insecurity in Umunneochi but also enjoined the people to remain law-abiding.
He expressed optimism that with the on-going consultations with the necessary Government agencies and stakeholders, the people would soon heave a sigh of relief.
