The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the killings of security personnel and other innocent citizens by criminals in Anambra State.
The House urged the National Security Adviser (NSA), Inspector General Police, Director General State Security, Army, Navy and other security to form a joint task force to restore security in Anambra State especially Anambra South bordering Imo State.
Reps passed the resolution after the adoption of a motion on the ‘Urgent need to restore security in Anambra State which will arrest the killings of innocent citizens by criminals and non-State actors’, sponsored by Hon. Chris Azubogu.
While calling for the House intervention, he observed that the primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and properties hence the call to restore full security in Anambra State especially Anambra South Senatorial Zone bordering Imo State.
“The House observes that non-state actors mostly criminals have taken over part of Anambra State and have been killing innocent citizens and creating fear that well-meaning citizens including Traditional Rulers and responsible citizens have deserted their home towns.
“Some prominent traditional rulers in Anambra State have deserted their Kingdoms and resorted to residing in the state capital (Awka) or Abuja.
“The House is worried that about a week ago gunmen operated in Aguata LGA of Anambra State killing at least four persons one of their victims being an official of the Anambra State Traffic Management Agency (ASTMA) directing traffic at the ever-busy Ekwulobia roundabout.
“They were also said to have killed two other persons at Oko, Igboukwu and yet another person close to Ekwulobia Girls Secondary School. They have also been operating within Nnewi, Ihiala, Nnobi, Ukpor axis.
“The House is further worried about the most recent killing of Chief Gab Ofoma a Senior Estate Surveyor and Valuer, a foremost Industrialist and the Chairman/CEO Ofoma Associates Ltd on Sunday the 20th of February by these criminals along Mbosi/Ihiala/Iseke road and the killing of Mr Sule Matthew a First-Class Graduate of Bayero University Kano and other occupants of the vehicle conveying them to Anambra State for his National Youth Service. An attempt was also made on the life of Chief Fabian Nworah of Efab Properties by these blood tasty criminals when he visited Anambra State and many others too numerous to mention.
“The House is concerned that these have negatively affected both economic and social lives, increased hardship on the citizens and heightened fear thereby causing many problems in the society.
“The House is cognizant that a lot of our security men including the Police, Army, etc have lost their lives to these criminal elements over time giving rise to the need for a more decisive action on the part of our security forces,” he noted.
To this end, the House commended the security agencies for all their effort in curbing these incessant killings so far.
