By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Association of Ngor Okpala Journalists (ANOJ) has raised the alarm over the recent upsurge in criminal activities in parts of Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, especially around the Umuowa-Ihitte-Umuhu-Okpala axis along Owerri-Aba Expressway.

The Association said the recent reports, both confirmed and unconfirmed, have continued to indicate that the above-mentioned areas have been taken over and is currently under siege by bandits/terrorists.

It stated that between Monday and Tuesday, December 1 and 2, 2025, there were reported incidents of attacks on unsuspecting motorists allegedly resulting in abduction and killing of passengers by the suspected bandits/terrorists.

Nothing the attack on the Advance Team of Abia State Governor's Office that was heading to the Imo Airport is one case too many and a clear pointer to the alarming wave of the terrorists' menace.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday by the Chairman, Comrade Athan Agbakwuru, and Secretary, Comrade Henry Amadi, alleged that the Association have it on good authority that the adjoining vast bushes in the mentioned areas have become the hideouts and safe haven to the daredevil terrorists.

The statement added that available information further revealed that several decomposing corpses and personal valuables belonging to attacked victims were discovered in the bushes during separate periodic combing exercise by the Ihitte Okwe, Umuowa, and Umuhu communities.

Part of the statement reads: "It's on record that in the past two years or more, Ngor Okpala has become a flashpoint for insecurity. A woman was killed in her farm at Amala, another pregnant woman was slaughtered near the Airport Runway at Umueze Ezemba, staff of FAAN was kidnapped with his kinsman about June this year, commercial motorcyclist was attacked, killed and his bike snatched along Umuohiagu-Umuowa Road. The list still counting.

"These series of violent crimes have continued to pose a grave threat to commercial, economic, social and political activities in our area. The ugly scenario has also portrayed our peaceful locality in bad and dangerous light as an unsafe place for innocent natives, residents and passersby but a haven for bandits and terrorists.

"It's yet uncertain who the criminals perpetrating the heinous crimes are--our own people or armed Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorists. There is a military checkpoint at Umuowa, the Airport Junction, few metres away from where bandits holding sway and having a field day.

"Most worrisome is the fact the ease with which they operate and no proactive or responsible action taken to foil any attack or apprehend the culprits during or after operations. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and his men and the military in Ngor Okpala should rise to the occasion and fish and flush out the criminals without further delays.

"The Imo State Police Command, Military and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in collaboration with community vigilante and youth groups should wake up and clear the bushes of unwanted residents therein.

"Traditional rulers, religious and political leaders and everyone in Ngor Okpala must have to be vigilant and ready to assist security agencies with factual information to enable them get to the root of the menace.

"The strategic position of Ngor Okpala as the host to Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, SMICA, Owerri, and a link Abia, Rivers and Imo states make it inevitably imperative for immediate and urgent action against the rising wave of banditry in the area.

"We have taken necessary cognizance of the intervention of the Imo State Police Command last weekend and commend same but urge and insist that the authorities must sustain the crackdown until the culprits are brought to book and made to face the full wrath of the law. A stitch in time saves nine!”