Robbery attacks: Fear grips more Akalites.
3 min read
The unending sad tales of armed robbery attacks in Umuaka within the last couple of weeks has intensified fears of insecurity in the entire Umuaka Municipal Council and even beyond. There is hardly a day that passes by Akalites are not treated with the sad tales of robberies and theft in Umuaka. Just last week alone, Uba community was hit more than twice when the bad boys came to town and wreaked havoc on their victims financially. In Ugbele community also, some youths were able to apprehend some men suspected to be vandals and thieves of solar energy equipment in the community.
Some other communities that had lost their solar energy equipment in the past, called upon the youths who apprehended the suspected thieves to interview them properly to establish if they were the thieves behind the stealing of such equipment in their various communities as well.
Since the sad stories started to rent the airwaves last week, all eyes have been placed on Akah Ebe Iri Security outfit. Many people have questioned the ability of the security outfit to put the ugly situation under control while others have called on total scrapping of the security outfit and replace it with fresh hands. A third group called for more empowerment of the group in order to enable her discharge her duties properly.
A high profile Akalite chieftaincy title holder from Ugbele Akah who spoke with Umuaka Times on the condition of anonymity last week, expressed some worries that Akah Ebe Iri security outfit was banned from reaching Obinwanne and Amiyi communities, yet those communities are properly policed by their internal security bodies. He called for a total overhaul of the security outfit, raising fears that the outfit may have been compromised by some certain reasons and forces.
Umuaka Times gathered that there are serious allegations of exhortation concerning the security group, especially from motorcycle boys. On December 25, 2022, Umuaka Times gathered that a motorcycle boy was tortured and forced by the outfit to part with the sum of N150,000 after he was illegally arrested by the Akah Ebe Iri Security outfit around Nkwo Ikpa area of Isiozi. There are several tales of this nature making the round in the community concerning the outfit. Can this be why Obinwanne and Amiyi communities banned the outfit from reaching or patrolling in their communities?
Akalites in the United States are totally worried over the insecurity situation in Umuaka Municipal Council. Collectively, they have contributed over N10 million to improve the security situation at home.
Some other Akalites who also spoke with Umuaka Times called for the allocation of military check-points in Umuaka in order to curb the menace of bad boys in the community. Some others too who were opposed to this call, disclosed to Umuaka Times that it would lead to public outcry at last due to gross human rights violations that may be associated with it.
So far, from the investigations of Umuaka Times, all the robberies that took place in Umuaka in the recent time, none of the robbers put on a face mask to cover his face. This suggested that they may not necessarily be Akalites because if they were, they would cover their faces to conceal their facial identities.
For now, many Akalites close from their private businesses early and head home in order to avoid meeting the bad boys at night while going home. A desperate solution is indeed needed at this desperate time. Until the solution arrives, Akalites will continue to live under the fear of insecurity.
Only time will tell.
