BREAKING NEWS.......Abia residents express worry over return of kidnapping

UMUAHIA- ABIA state residents have expressed worry over
gradual return of kidnapping and other crimes, particularly
child trafficking, in part of the state, specifically the in Abia
South senatorial district. The area comprises of Obingwa,
Isialangwa North and South, Osisisoma, Ugwunagbo, Aba
North and South and Ukwa East and West council areas.
This was the area that was virtually taken over by criminal
elements, especially kidnappers few years ago which led
most residents of the area, particularly of Aba, the
commercial city, to flee their homes and abandoned their
businesses.
However, Governor Theodore Orji in collaboration with the
Federal Government braced up to the challenge invited
soldiers who in conjunction with other security agencies
battled the criminals to a standstill and flushed them out of
the state.
Since then the state government has been investing heavily
in providing logistics to security operatives in the state,
including soldiers whose 14 Brigade Ohafia Barracks were
resuscitated, and other camps built in parts of the state
particularly in the Abia South area to continue to maintain
security.
But in the recent past, there have been reports of increase
in crimes, especially child kidnapping and trafficking and in
the Abia South area, which is now a source of worry to the
people.
Recently, when Governor Orji donated additional patrol vans
to the 14 Brigade Ohafia, he charged the commander to
tackle the problem of child trafficking and pipe lines
vandalization and other crimes that were rearing their ugly
heads in the state. The governor urged the soldiers to go all
out for them to ensure that the security in the state was
maintained.
Like the governor, the new state Commissioner of Police,
Usman Tilli Abubakar has also lamented the increasing
incidence of crime in Abia South, especially child trafficking
but promised that his men would tackle it head-on.
But residents who spoke to
DailyPost blamed the situation on
the security agencies whom they said have relaxed in their
duties after the initial aggressiveness with which they fought
crimes in the state.
“The blame should go to the various security agencies in the
state. They have all relaxed after the initial zeal with which
they tackled the situation. These criminal have been
monitoring and perhaps they have notices some loopholes
and want to come back.Though Abia presently is still very
safe compared to other states, but the security agencies
should wake up and put more effort.
“The governor, from all indications is very passionate about
equipping security agencies and providing the necessary
logistics for them. This is open as he has always donated
vehicles and replaces them when they age a little. This is
what a serious minded governor should do. He cannot go
and pursue the criminals.
“The security agencies are trying but we don’t want them to
relax so that the security and peace we have in Abia which
has encouraged investors to come here will be sustained.
We urged them to once again move aggressively into the
Abia South, particularly, Obingwa, Isialangwa areas and mop
up all criminal elements. The government is doing its bit
well, this we know”, said Chief Iheukwu Dike, a business man
in Aba.
Also, Governor Theodore Orji while receiving the new
Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tambari Yabo
Muhammad who paid him a courtesy visit urged him to
tackle crime squarely in the state.