By CHARLES IWUOHA

A community-based interest organisation, Nnarambia Advancement Initiative (NAI), has flayed the breach of security and killings by hoodlums in the Mbaise community in Imo State.

The organisation said in recent years, it has served as a think-tank for mobilising intellectual and material resources for the transformation of their homeland, protecting and promoting the cultural heritage as the economic and cultural centre of the Mbaise nation.

In a statement issued on Monday, the group lamented that the epicentre of economic activities in Mbaise has faced an increased level of security threats, ranging from robbery to kidnapping and other criminal vices around the popular Ahiara junction.

The statement signed by Dr. Engr. A C. Unegbu President, Dr. Uzo Ejekwumadu, Europe Coordinator, Nnamdi Uzo, US Coordinator, Professor Bongo Adi, Convener, reads: “In the recent past weeks, Nnarambia, our community, being the epicentre of economic activities in Mbaise, has faced an increased level of security threats, ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping, and other criminal vices around the popular Ahiara Junction.

“This is an unusual level of insecurity that is often experienced in the ember months leading to the Christmas season. We are heavily saddened by the reprehensible news of the breach of security of our dear community by hoodlums and criminal gangs who besieged the area on the morning of 27th November 2023.

“These rampaging vandals, with no iota of respect for human sanctity, murdered in cold blood, a serving Police DPO and his Inspector colleague, and a peace-loving resident of our community. They also terrorised Ahiara Junction and its business environs, unleashing mayhem with a calculated attempt to spread fear, bloodshed, and anarchy.

“It was a Dark Monday for a peace-loving community known for hospitality and industriousness as a nodal town connecting the two state capitals of Owerri and Umuahia and as a religious pilgrimage centre. A sacrilege of such magnitude has left our people traumatised, and we are all casualties.

“Nnarambia Advancement Initiative condemns, in strong terms, these criminal gangs and their acts of lawlessness reminiscent of the Hobbesian state of nature where life is brutish, nasty, and short. We most sincerely commiserate with the immediate families of the slain gallant police officers who lost their lives, the murdered community resident, and all those directly and indirectly affected by this tragic incident.

“Our heart goes to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aboki Danjuma, and all his police officers and other security personnel at these trying times. In the same manner, we are in solidarity with the government of Imo State, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma and appreciate efforts made to return to normalcy. May the soul of the departed rest in peace.

“The news of arrests by a combined team of Government Security Forces, of some criminal elements alleged to have been involved in the unfortunate incident and other related security breaches, in a neighbouring local government area has also been received by NAI and our community with some relief.

“By that singular action, the police team has sent a strong warning to others engaged in nefarious activities to keep away from Nnarambia and turn a new leaf or face the long arms of the security and law enforcement agencies.

“We also appeal to the Commissioner of Police and the Military Command that in the effort to fish out the criminals behind the insecurity in the community, to be clinical and ensure that innocent residents of the community are not unfairly arrested, punished or further traumatized.

“NAI will continue to support and collaborate with the Police, the Military and other security agencies, our traditional ruler and town union leadership, age grades, community-led neighbourhood watch, and civil societies to maintain peace and security in Nnarambia. We will indeed now, as a matter of urgency, galvanise our eminent sons and daughters both at home and in the diaspora to ensure that Nnarambia is safe and secure and continues to play her leading role as the heartbeat of the Mbaise urban development, religious and cultural centre.”