Okigwe IMC Takes Bold Steps Over Insecurity

Following directives of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State over the recent alarming reports of insecurities in Okigwe Council area of the State and its environ, Lady Nkechi Mbonu last Saturday held serious security meeting with all the principal stakeholders in the council area.

The meeting which was specifically on invitation was held at Okigwe Secretariat Council Mini Hall and presided over by Lady Mbonu who is Chairman, Interim Management Committee ( IMC), as well as the Chief Security Officer of the Local Government Area.

In attendance were top security brass of the area comprising the Army Commander, the Police Area Commander, the Divisional Police Officer, the Head of the Directorate of State Security (DSS), the Head of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), the Traditional Rulers, Hausa/Fulani Community, the President Generals of the 18 Autonomous Communities and the Council’s area Leadership of Myetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association among other groups.

The Council Chairman who said that security of lives and properties is one of the topmost priorities of her administration, recalled that  the  meeting is the third time she is hosting since her assumption of Office  barely four months ago, in line with addressing fundamental  issues that borders on  insecurities in the area.

According to her ” The Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma is worried over the persistent activities of insecurities in Okigwe and its environ. The incidences of recent are alarming and calls for conceited efforts and collaborations.

Just few days ago, two young Okada Riders were gunned down by unknown gun men within the town just as people of Ihube Community came protesting over the cold blood murder of one of their illustrious sons by equally an unknown gun men.

Moreso, within the period a reverred traditional ruler and a political appointee were kidnapped and there whereabout still unknown. 

Many people are afraid to go to their farm lands do to the alleged threats by Hausa/Fulani herdsmen. Every day, I receives distressed calls complaining of one insecurity or the other. These anomalies must be addressed and stopped. This is fundamentally the essence of the meeting ” she assured.

Lady Mbonu appealed to the security agencies on the need to be proactive on issues concerning security while reassuring of the willingness of her administration in assisting to provide the needed logistics and incentives.

She also advised the security agencies on the need to create a checking point at the road leading to Umulolo Community as well as considering Okigwe – Nnewi and Okigwe – Akokwa expressed roads as area’s flash points of criminal activities.

Adding his voice, HRH Eze Acho Ndukwe the Council’s area Chairman of Traditional Rulers disclosed that no traditional ruler of the area is in the business of cattle rearing as being insinuated by some residents.

Agbai expressed disappointment on the level of frosty relationship currently existing between the Hausa/Fuani residents in the area and the indigenes reporting that for years back they have been harmoniously living like brothers and sisters and prayed for the revert of the status quo.

He attributed the Lost love to the accusations of the Hausa/Fulani herdsmen of regular invasion of their farm lands with their cows that destroys their farm yields by feeding on the agricultural products as well as using minors as herdsmen.

Reacting, Alhaji Yahaya Biu and Alhaji Shuaibu Mohammed, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectively of Myetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association, Okigwe attributed the feud to the group they called trans borders herdsmen whom they say behaves as if they are above the Law.

They disclosed that their group is frowning seriously over the usage of minors in cattle rearing and assured that soon they will come out with sanctions.

They pleaded with the meeting to grant them permission to go home and digest the meeting issues and to educate their members on the need to be law abiding and to sustain harmonious relationship with their host communities.

The meeting finally resolved on the need for the traditional rulers to have statistical details of all strangers domiciled in their Communities, that henceforth initials must be boldly written on grazing cows for easy identification of onwership in case of  any complain and the need to maintain mutual relationship between the Hausa Fulani residents and their host Communities noting that most of them have lived in Okigwe ancient town for over 50 years.

EVEREST EZIHE, Owerri