Several calls have gone to the security agencies in Imo state to as a matter of urgency, put up more combative efforts to chase out criminals operating within the forests in Owerri West local government area and its neighboring communities.
A concerned resident in Nekede old road rushed to our correspondent this Monday afternoon in Owerri to make similar security report after several attacks have been launched on Nekede Owerri West residents.
Recall that Divisional Police officers in the area are expected to be very proactive and work together with the vigilante and neighborhood watch efforts organized to check criminal activities on regular basis.
Speaking to 9News Nigeria Owerri, the resident who pleaded anonymity, stated that there is an alarming influx of Fulani herdsmen in large numbers in Nekede.
He added that the people living in the area are under serious apprehension of the unknown while noting that kidnapping, terror attack and damage of farmlands and cash crops has been on the increase in the area.
Accordingly, “For the past three years in Nekede old road precisely within numbers 10, 11 and 12 , we have not rested on criminal attacks on people walking or driving through the part ways and farmers in their farmlands in Nekede.
“There is no forest in Nekede that is safe as I speak with you Oga News maker. We sleep with one eye open while business life has collapsed for lack of security in Nekede old road.
“Towards Nekede land via Avu, Obinze , Ihiagwa, PortHarcourt road is no go area because these wicked herders chases people away with grades of ammunition.
Meanwhile, there are several reports by Newsmen on killings, abductions, destruction of Farmlands by these suspected herders who have automatically taken Imo forests as dwelling abode. And their number has kept increasing on daily basis.
Behind Federal Polytechnic Nekede back gate, Amaeze, Naze axis and Umuoma Nekede via Ihiagwa area are encumbered by Fulani Herders as investigated by 9News.
However, the Umuoma police division has been on joint security check with community vigilante group since the death of an indigene and the news of the house-to-house phone theft criminal broke out in the area. The division conducted their profession investigation and interrogation to follow up with the remand of the criminal and has vowed to continue on daily patrol in Umuoma Nekede.
Nekede and Owerri area use to be very calm and groovy since creation until the sudden influx of Fulani herdsmen engaged in terrorizing the residents, perpetuating crime and destroying several farmlands as 9news Nigeria reports.
Indebt report reveals that majority of these herdsmen were chased out from the middle belt and the Sahel region by security groups and forced them to vacate their Forests which led to their switch influx to the south East and south south regions.
The Nekede resident however pleaded with the government of Imo state ably led by His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma, to Intensify efforts and raise security Architecture in Owerri West LGA, especially Nekede environs.
And very importantly, extending same combatant check across the three senatorial zones in Imo state. Declaring state of emergency across Imo forest will be another proactive measure to strike on criminals and Fulani herdsmen.
