Residents of Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, have vented their anger and displeasure against the unwavering criminal activities in the city.

The residents said they can barely sleep with both eyes closed nowadays, following incessant terror from the dreaded Aro Cult in some areas in Aba.

They alleged that many s0ldiers and police officers are colluding with the criminals which has made it very easy for them to always escape with their tricycles whenever they rob people.

They called on the headquarters of the Nigerian Army to make changes in the leadership and personnel deployed to Aba as criminals seem to have outsmarted the present people in charge either by collusion or by negligence to duty.

Speaking to Sunday Telegraph, the residents who hailed from different parts of the city lamented specifically that the Ogbor-Hill axis, Aba has been taken over by the feared and dreaded “Aro Cult” with Eziama, Azuka and Ohuru Isimiri Police Stations coupled with several army checkpoints looking helpless.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, told our reporter that most of the boys who are terrorising Aba and its environs know both the army and police very well and having seen how nonchalant they are, took advantage of it perfectly.

“Just go through any military checkpoint in Aba, you’ll see why criminals have turned Aba into their safe haven. Their whole interest is focused on collecting money and giving change,” he said.

“Formerly, it was only police we know for bribery, but these current military officers in Aba are worse than what we have ever encountered in terms of bribery and intimidation.

“Go and see what they do at Obikabia. They recruit some boys who look like criminals to be extorting money from motorists and bring to them while they play supervisory role.

“Anyone who fails to give the boys money they’ll quickly signal the soldiers who will come and play their intimidating role and money will appear.

“Can you tell me sincerely that those boys that work with them will not take advantage of such connection to terrorise the city?

“I don’t know why you press people are not telling government what’s happening in Aba as concerning some soldier boys who have turned Aba to their oil well by getting involved in trivial matters that do not concern them, leaving security to suffer.”

Another resident said, “I wonder how criminals operate freely in Aba while we have places like School Road by Ndoki Street, Park Road by Mosque Street, Ngwa Road by Ohanku, Ovom Road, Obikabia Junction, Udeagbala Road, Ariaria Junction, Brass Junction, Owerri-Aba Primary School, Ngwa High School and other army base and checkpoints?

“I’m not saying that army presence doesn’t matter at all, but my problem is that they have forgotten why they were placed there and now go after trivial issues.

“When will their superiors in Enugu and Abuja realise that Abia Poly girls can now call army for anybody and have someone intimidated for just a minor quarrel?

“These things are happening here and nobody is saying anything. Go to Saint Michael’s Road at the phone market there, you will see soldiers always coming to settle dispute in business transactions. They even settle relationship disputes.” (New Telegraph)

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