Three Imo Communities, Ezi-Obodo, Ezi-Okele and Ihiagwa, all in Owerri West LGA, have staged a peaceful protest over rising cases of insecurity ranging from kidnappings and killings allegedly orchestrated by herders operating in the area.
Youths, women, elders, and community leaders came out in their numbers, marching through major roads within the communities, carrying placards to express their grievances and displeasure over what they described as a worsening security situation in the area.
Addressing Journalists during the protest, the Councillor representing Eziobodo/Ezi Okele Ward 5, Chijioke Echendu, condemned the development, describing it as the worst recurring insecurity in recent times.
He appealed to security agencies and the state government to urgently intervene and protect residents from criminal elements operating within the forests and bushes surrounding the communities.
The Councillor also debunked reports circulating on social media, alleging that about 40 persons were killed in Eziobodo, a claim he described as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents and the general public.
He said, “Although there have been isolated incidents of kidnapping and attacks within parts of Owerri West, such incidents should not be exaggerated or misrepresented as a total invasion or massacre in Eziobodo.
“Local vigilante groups, in collaboration with officers of the Owerri West Police Division, regularly conduct patrol operations within Eziobodo and neighbouring Communities to safeguard lives and property,” he said.
Speaking on the recent incidents that warranted the protest, the Councillor explained that one of the reported attacks occurred within the axis of Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO, back gate, linking Ihiagwa and FUTO, where an Okada rider and his passenger were allegedly kidnapped.
He narrated that although the rider was from Eziobodo, the incident did not warrant an invasion of the community.
Echendu also recounted another incident involving a woman and her daughter who were reportedly kidnapped while returning from Ihiagwa to Eziobodo.
He narrated that the suspected hoodlums, while allegedly attempting to abduct more persons along the same route, shot an Okada rider who later died at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.
The Councillor added that four other persons reportedly sustained machete injuries during the attack as the criminals attempted to stop motorcycles conveying commuters.
In its reaction to the latest development, the State Police Command, through its Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the command has deployed security personnel to the area.
He hinted that preliminary investigation showed that some suspected assailants attempted to abduct a victim but were resisted by security personnel in collaboration with local Vigilante groups.
Okoye added that the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, alongside other tactical squads, are in constant patrol of the area and its environment to enhance security.
The Command’s spokesperson, however, urged residents living within the area to always alert the police in case of any security breach via 08034773600 or 09116606669.
