Kidnapping of Methodist Prelate will mark the end of kidnapping in Umunneochi- Gov Ikpeazu

Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has assured that government would no longer treat the issue of kidnapping a nd other crimes around Umunnechi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state with kids glove, vowing that the recent kidnapping of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria would mark the end of kidnappings around that area.

 The Governor said that it pains him to see any Abian in danger.

Ikpeazu, therefore, promised to liaise with leaders and stakeholders of Umunneochi LGA with a view to putting an end to kidnapping and other social vices that have become the order of the day in the area.

The Governor who was addressing the people of Umunneochi LGA during a meeting at the Palace of Eze Godson Ezekwesiri in Umuelem Isuochi, said that the issue of insecurity in Umunneochi and its neighbouring communities has become a matter of great concern.

He noted that many steps had been taken in the past to address the issue and decried the worsening state of insecurity across the country and called for concerted efforts to deal with the situation.

Ikpeazu, therefore, directed stakeholders of Umunneochi to articulate various flashpoints in the area for immediate action, restating that the ban on open grazing was still in full force and promised to do all it would take to put an end to the menace.

Speaking earlier, the Methodist Archbishop of Okigwe Archdiocese, The Most Rev. Biereonwu Onuagha, who regretted that Umunneochi has been turned into a money- making centre for kidnappers and other criminals, called for the reopening of the Ihube-Lomara road, noting that the closure of the road turned it into a known flashpoint for criminals.

Archbishop Onuagha also called for the immediate relocation of the Lokpanta Cattle Market which he described as a security threat to them and thanked the Governor for his role in the timely release of the Methodist Prelate recently kidnapped along Leru-Umunneochi road.

Also in their speeches, a former chairman of the old Isuikwuato LGA, Chief Uzo Egbo and the Chairman of the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council who is also the Traditional Ruler of Aro Ikpa Autonomous Community, Eze Ernest Onwuka, noted that Umunneochi as a Local Government shares borders with all the south East states which makes the area vulnerable to all sorts of crimes as over 12 kidnapping incidents have been recorded along the Leru-Lomara-Nneato road in within a short period of time.

They called for the dismantling of various military check points in the area and thanked Governor Ikpeazu for coming to their rescue as their sons and daughters no longer visit home due to prevailing insecurity in the area.

The Governor had on arrival visited the scene where the kidnapping of the Methodist Prelate, His Eminece, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kanu Uche and his team took place.

The Member representing Umunneochi State constituency, Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Eze Chikamnayo, Chief Ndidi Okereke, the Executive Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, Chief Ifeanyi Madu, Traditional Rulers, top religious leaders and other stakeholders in the area were present at the meeting.