Barley one week after the member, representing Owerri Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Tochukwu Okere brought the frightening level of insecurity in his constituency before his colleagues in the national assembly, daredevil Fulani herdsmen are said to have again invaded Ihiagwa one of the host communities of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and inflicted matchet cut on one Mr Nath Onyeagwalam, a staff of FUTO who is presently battling to stay alive.
It was gathered that Onyeagwalam was attacked along Amaeze-Ihiagwa Road, while coming back from work.
A resident of the area who spoke to our reporter in confidence said, “we no longer sleep with our two eyes closed as Fulani herdsmen now attack and unleash mayhem on our people without cause. Their latest victim, Nath, is lucky to have survived. Though, his life is still hanging in the balance because he was stabbed by the side of his rib. Others who were not so lucky disappeared without trace.
The disturbing aspect of it is that the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, the 34 military brigade Obinze and other security agencies in the state have kept mute and are questionably insensitive to what is happening in Owerri West L.G.A. Our women and girls are raped and sometimes abducted. Our men are kidnapped for ransom. In all these life threatening situations, nobody is doing or saying anything tangible”.
A 3-minute video that this report watched, showed Nath in a pool of blood pleading for help to stay alive.
Recall that, “The House of Representatives member for Owerri Federal Constituency, Hon SirTochukwu Okere, has made the alarming insecurity in his Constituency to form part the burning issues before the National Assembly.
The Lawmaker who moved a motion on the floor of the House of Representatives,on Wednesday,Febuary 12,2025 expressed concerns over the plights of his constituents while urging the National Assembly to ensure the security of his people by mandating the security agents address the problem.
Touched by his pathetic story about several killings and kidnapping cases in the area, the House of Representatives observed a minute silence for those who lost their lives as a result of insecurity in the area.
In his motion,Okere note,”In my absolute displeasure to the wanton and epidemic unrest perpetuated against the innocent citizens of my constituency in recent times, I had the honour of Mr Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass to move a MOTION OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE ON THE NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE WANTON KILLINGS OF INNOCENT CITIZENS, KIDNAPPING AND BANDITRY IN MOST PARTS OF OWERRI WEST AND SOME PARTS OF OWERRI NORTH IN OWERRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY IN IMO STATE.
“This evil menace is not in the character of my people, and whoever is sponsoring machinery of destruction against my people must be exposed and brought to book by the Nigerian law enforcement agencies.
“In my motion, I made it clear:
“That the security of lives and properties is the primary responsibility of governments, at all levels, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended).
“That past reports of killing of innocent citizens, kidnapping and banditry in most parts of Owerri West particularly in Avu, Oforola, Nekede, Ihiagwa, Obinze, Amakohia Ubi, Okolochi and some parts of Owerri North like Obibiezena, Agbala, Ulakwo all in Owerri Federal Constituency have not been given enough consideration by security agencies.
“That I am aware that the State Governor, His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodinma, has made some efforts through the Commissioner of Police and other security apparatus to fight this menace, which is still lingering and disrupting the peace of my people.
“That the indigenes who are victims of these wanton killings, kidnapping and banditry may naturally resort to self-help if they cannot stand by and watch the senseless unrest continue unchecked.
“I prompted the House to urge the Inspector General of Police to take immediate and affirmative action to put an end to the wanton killings and cleansing of indigens of Owerri West and Owerri North by deploying its security architecture accordingly and in effect.
“My motion mandated the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence to ensure compliance and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
I ended my motion presentation by leading the House Of Representatives, with the permission of Mr. Speaker, to Observe a minute of silence in honour of my people who have lost their lives to this inhuman, barbaric incident.
May the souls of the victims of this menace find peace with the Lord and may the saboteurs of the peace of Owerri Federal Constituency have a reason to repent or dance to their music”.
