Some indigenes of Isuochi and Umuchieze in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State have said that criminal activities have not reduced in their communities as claimed by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha.
Aguocha, who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency of Abia State, is the Chairman of House of Representatives ad Hoc Committee on Reduction of Criminal Activities in Isuikwuato and Umunnochi.
According to them, it was wrong for the House of Reps member to make such a claim without backing it up with facts.
Some Umunneochi indigenes, who spoke to Media Talk Africa on the matter in Umuahia, noted that traditional rulers, as well as farmers and transporters along the troubled areas, are in a better position to report any drop in criminal activities, and not somebody who is based in Abuja.
The indigenes, including Chinecherem Okechukwu and Sylvanus Obika from Isuochi and Mrs Tessy Chidubem from Umuchieze clan, said Aguocha’s claim that farming activities have improved in their lands was not true.
They rather said that many farmers in the area were still afraid of going to their farms for the fear of being kidnapped, maimed or raped.
The Umunneochi indigenes lamented that many wealthy indigenes from their villages did not return for New Yam, Iriji celebration because they were afraid of being kidnapped on the road.
According to them, the absence of notable indigenes was an indication that criminals have not fled from the area, as claimed by the House of Reps member.
“Did Obi Aguocha travel through Ihube-Leru-Lokpanta road regularly? Did he travel through the Ihube-Leru-Isuochi road or did he enter the farms and markets recently before issuing such a statement?” Okechukwu, a farmer, asked.
Okechukwu, however, lauded Governor Alex Otti’s plans to restore security in the Umunneochi area through the launch of the Operation Crunch security outfit.
According to him, the security outfit has the capacity to restore the confidence of the people if an information sharing mechanism is maintained between the security agencies and villagers.
Media Talk Africa recalls that Aguocha recently declared that criminal activities have reduced in the area as a result of the House of Reps ad-hoc committee’s interventions.
Aguocha also said that criminal elements have fled from Isuikwuato and Umunneochi, enabling farmers to gradually return to their normal farming activities.
