[INSECURITY] Abia Assembly set to summon security heads

The resolution came after some members of the House raised a series of matters of urgent public importance bothering on the security of lives and properties in their different constituencies.

On his part, Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu, Member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency lamented over the current fearful state of his Constituency among which is the recent burning of a police post and murder of a police inspector by armed men numbering about 30. He later prayed the House to request the Commissioner of Police, the Commander of Homeland Security and other security agencies in the State to swing into action immediately to avert total breakdown of law and order in the area.

Consequently, Hon Emeka Okoroafor, Member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency, frowned at the incessant killing and kidnappings going on in Isuikwuato, alleging these evil acts to be perpetrated by gun welding herdsmen. The Lawmaker said lives have been lost, the economy in the area has collapsed and the people are living in fear. He further said that the policemen in the area are doing absolutely nothing to stop the ugly menace. Honourable Emeka Okoroafor further prayed the House to invite all the security heads in the State to have an interaction with the House and advised that the House mandate the House Committee on Security to visit the area and have interactions with the relevant stakeholders to put an end to the menace.

Contributing, Honourable Godwin Adiele, Member representing Ukwa West State Constituency said that the security architecture in the State is in disarray and that almost all the local governments in the State have experienced this burgeoning security threat while urging the House to invite the security heads in the State to the House for a special briefing.

Honourable Abraham Oba, Member representing Aba Central State Constituency, supported the invitation of the security heads in the State to the House for an interactive session when he emotionally narrated how a Point of Sale (POS) operator was robbed and killed by armed men in Aba and said if nothing urgent is done the security in the State might be in total shambles.

Other House members who lent their voices to the Matter and supported the invitation of the security heads in the State to the House are Honourable Okey Igwe, Member representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Hon Ginger Onwusibe, Member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, and Hon Chukwudi Apugo, Member representing Umuahia East State Constituency.

While speaking on the matter, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji said he is "quite sad over the recent attacks on our people in Isuikwuato", and also condemned in its entirety the barbaric incident that happened in Isiala Ngwa South where a police post was burnt down and a security personnel beheaded in cold blood, saying "these types of incidents are not acceptable in our society,

"We need to look deeply into this reoccurring security breaches that have been happening in Isuikwuato and other parts of the state especially the one that just happened in Isiala Ngwa South before it escalates, which might lead to a total breakdown of law and order", the Speaker said.

The Speaker further said that the recent heightened security challenges in parts of the country won't be far from the hijacked #ENDSARS peaceful protest. He said the original intention of the conveners of the #ENDSARS protest was thwarted by hoodlums who started destroying people's properties, businesses and houses, burning down police stations and carting away firearms in the process.

"What we are witnessing here today is the total nonchalant attitude of the police and other security agencies because of the hijacked #ENDSARS protest which hugely affected them negatively. But that should change." The Speaker emphasized

"Also the Laws made by us here and the many resolutions passed by the elected representatives of the people are not being implemented as expected. We have passed the Anti-grazing Law and I'm made to understand the Governor has given his assent to it. If anybody wants to do cattle business in the State, the person can do ranching where you buy a piece of land, fence it, and put in the cows there and do your business. In such a way, you don't cross paths with the locals." The Speaker further maintained.

The Speaker, however, noted that the issue of kidnappings having some colouration of collaboration with some security agencies should also be looked into because it is abominable.

"Based on the cries of our people, we can never return to what we experienced in this state some years back; no citizen of the state should be subjected to that trauma. We have passed through that trauma once and we don't need it again. That is why we need to interface with the security agencies in the State." The Speaker assured.

"As an arm of Government, we have the constitutional powers to invite anybody here to give us some answers to questions we want so we can pass same to our Constituents because we will be failing in our duties if we don't do anything concerning this matter as our people are being kidnapped and shot. If we don't do anything now and the people take laws into their hands, it will only lead to an escalation of an already bad situation." The Speaker said in an emotion-laden voice.

The Speaker thereafter mandated the Clerk of the House to send out invitation letters to all the security heads in the State to appear at the executive session of the House on Monday, 8th of February, 2021, saying, "we need to hear from them and know what their challenges are so we can help them find solutions through the executive"

AFNEWS gathered that the plenary also witnessed the screening and confirmation of the appointment of Hon Justice StellaMaris Chinedum Ururuka Onyenso as the new President Customary Court of Appeal, Abia State.