Owerri indigenes bemoan insecurity in Imo Airport host community

Indigenes and residents of the host communities of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA), Owerri have cried out over the increasing incidents of kidnapping, killings and other acts of inhuman incidents in and around their area.

They have called on the government to take decisive steps to end the ugly scenario.

The people who bared their minds to the alleged tense situation told our reporter that residents of the airport communities comprising Obiangwu, Logara and Umuohiagu witnessed an unprecedented upsurge in kidnapping, assassinations, and brutality over the years.

Those who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity for security reasons revealed that no fewer than six persons were shot dead by gunmen in recent times in the communities while several businesses were abruptly shut down as a result of incessant attacks.

Our correspondent also gathered that a prominent indigene of the area(name withheld) was abducted from his house in November last year by unknown armed men and whisked away to an unknown destination.

The residents further hinted that the precarious security situation in the area has drastically crippled business activities in the area as well as forced many diasporans from the area to shun visiting home even during the last yuletide and residents fleeing in their numbers.

One of the community leaders who spoke during an interview said, “Between January and July 2023, six(6) innocent men were murdered in cold blood by gunmen in the area. Among the six persons shot dead was one(1) young man, Mr Adindu Okere from Umuwaomma Village in Obiangwu.”

He said that the other victims killed in March last year were at Umuolulu and a village coordinator in Logara community, Mr Vincent Anuforo(Tanko) from Umuokeada Village. He was shot dead by unknown armed men in his workstation. Also, Chief Monday Ekeh, a popular tipper driver and community leader in Ngali village of the Logara community, was assassinated on Wednesday, 26th April 2023.

He said: “within the same period, several operators, shop owners and roadside traders in Umuohiagu have fallen victims of the regular attacks and molestation by armed men”

According to him “precisely on Thursday, 6th July, 2023, a shop owner named Ejike was attacked at Umuorisha Umuohiagu adding that attackers reportedly looted several 50kg bags of rice, cans of groundnut oil, several other food items and forcefully dispossessed him of huge cash.

“Several cars and motorcycles have been taken from unsuspecting helpless owners at gunpoint by armed men during the period under review,” the source said.

An octogenarian, Elder Julius Ibe who also spoke lamented that the area which ought to enjoy unassailable security considering its strategic importance, now appears to be more vulnerable than other parts of the state.

He recalled that in over three decades, no fewer than 50 indigenes and non-indigenes have been assassinated and brutalised in the area with most of the cases still unresolved by the security agencies and called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Zone 9 and Imo Police command to intervene and save the people from further brutality, loss of lives and property.

Recounting the catalogue of killings in the area popularly known as Onyeaghalanwanneya Pa Ibe listed those cut down in their prime by unknown gunmen to include; five persons including a pregnant woman was shot dead at Obiangwu near Sylva Obiajunwa Bakery by security operatives, an only son, one Apalapa Emele, Andrew Ugwuezumba from Umunehi, Francis Njoku, beheading of one Mrs Angelina Osuji and abduction of retiree Chief Pius Njoku and Eziefula Opara by armed men in camouflage uniforms in 2022.

He also recalled the gruesome murder of one Mrs Nwachukwu and her unborn twins, Ifeanyi Emele, another Ifeanyi, Ward chairman from Logara, a lecturer-Dr Bennett Nnaji from Umuohiagu and the mindless killing of Uchenna, a prominent businessman from Logara among many other violent and brutal deaths.

He said: “I don’t know what has befallen us these days. We have lost so many lives to insecurity in our area and we don’t want it anymore. Government should please come to our rescue before it’s too late”.

Others who contributed, in unison, called on the security agencies to find a lasting solution to the menace in Owerri zone in other to forestall further senseless killings and brutality.