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…Locals: We’re under siege, help us before they overrun our homes*
Following the destruction of terror camps in Orsu council area and other parts of the state and the dislodging of terror suspects across the state, acts of banditry seem to have moved to Ezioha, a community in Mbaitoli council area of Imo state.
In the last one month various killings have been reported in the area without any notable effort at enforcing justice.
What is more disturbing to boundary communities like Umuaka is the alarming spate of abduction of persons from the community.
A community leader who craved anonymity told our correspondent that it just dawned on his community that they are under siege.
His words: “As I speak to you no fewer than 10 persons have been abducted from Umuaka in the last one month. What is more disturbing is that within this period no ransom request has been made and the fate of the victims is not known as nobody is able to venture into the den of these criminals in Ezioha.
“Worrisome also, is the fact that they no longer abduct people on the road but now go to people’s home, overpower and whisk them away. Among the abducted are a policeman, a vigilante operative, a community leader and several other persons from our community. I am almost certain that the number of persons abducted so far may be far more than the figure I gave but I just want to be on the safe side.”
He noted that other communities close to Ezioha are also facing the same problem and the government seems to be uninterested in coming to their rescue.
He added that there is a palpable fear that the criminals may be plotting an attack on the only Police Division within the axis which is the Umuaka Police Division.
He said: “Umuaka Division is among the few Police Divisions that defied the previous efforts of these terror gangs to burn and loot its armoury. This Division has been attacked more than twice by these terrorists who always suffer serious casualties in the hands of the gallant operatives at the Division.
“Now they have brought their camp closer to our community and their number is increasing everyday as other dislodged hoodlums join them from other parts of the South-East, we are worried that the Division will be their major target.
“If nothing is done and the Umuaka Police Division is attacked and looted, the Umuaka axis of Orlu-Owerri road may become a death-trap for locals and commuters alike, just like the Abuja-Kaduna expressway which has been described as the most dangerous road in Nigeria.”
While noting that many locals in the neighbouring communities are fleeing their communities, he called on the Imo State government and all relevant security agencies to urgently intervene before the hoodlums overrun the communities around Ezioha.
When crimefacts news contacted the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye said that this story is a propaganda.
Okoye angryly said that this report is a calculated attempt to install fear in the State.
“Why haven’t they(Locals) reported this incident to us , I won’t believe this, it’s propaganda, “the Imo PPRO stated.
More to follow….
