Insecurity: Fear grips Akalites at home.
2 min read
Since the burning of Njaba Divisional Police Station located in Umuaka by yet to be identified gunmen a couple of weeks ago,, fear seems to have found a suitable accommodation in Umuaka community. Umuaka Times learnt that Akalites and their tenants have been living in fear and several social activities have also been curtailed in and around the community due to fear of attacks. Most affected in this scenario Umuaka Times gathered, is Afor Umuaka Modern Market. Between 6 and 7 pm on daily basis since the incident occurred, business activities in the market have continued to move on completely slow pace as traders now lock up their shops and rush home in anticipation that something tragic may happen in the market.
Following this development, Umuaka Times learnt that community leaders in Umuaka Municipal Council have appealed to their people to remain calm and continue to be law-abiding pending when the appropriate authorities will be able to name those behind the terrible attack at the police station which left two police officers dead over a week ago. On the night of the incident, villagers who live close to the police station witnessed several gunshots during the attacks but could not establish if the gun shots were from armed robbers or from official sources. From that night till date, the fears of the villagers have continued to intensify.
According to a particular source, motorcycle boys who are always seen cruising the town in the late hours of every evening on their motorcycles now hardly come out at night. Parents have been told to warn their children to be of good behaviour and conduct themselves properly to avoid getting entangled with law enforcement agents.
A couple of days ago, a voice message circulated on several Umuaka whatsapp groups warning the inhabitants of the community that the town would be attacked by some security outfits as a result of the burning of the Njaba Divisional Police Headquarters. The fellow who issued the voice note did not disclose his name nor where he was issuing the message from. Many Akalites who came across the message termed it as the creation of a false alarmist and urged people to go about their normal businesses.
As it stands today, several towns in Imo State are still under siege and in anticipation of attacks from either known or unknown gunmen. Kidnappers are still moving from one corner of the state to another in search “human jackpots”. It is generally believed that normalcy will be restored in the community before the middle of this week and free business and social activities will resume.
