As reported in a Matter of Urgent Public Importance, the Abia State House of Assembly has sharply denounced ongoing assaults on residents of Ukwa West.
Following the presentation of a Matter of Urgent Public Importance by the Member representing the Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Adiele, who claimed that herdsmen were continuously killing residents of his constituency.
In presenting the case before the House, Hon. Adiele explained how a woman had been abducted in his district three weeks ago and had not been located as of yet. Another victim of a rape died tragically the following week, and on June 19, a tipper driver was shot randomly and died as a result. All of these incidents occurred near the river-rine region, where their perpetrators typically operate from.
The lawmaker stated that they are urging the government to support the Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA by establishing a committee that will remain constant around the affected areas to monitor movements and save lives, as well as by creating a special security fund to enable him to establish a vigilante who can help fight the attack since the Police and Army have failed.
Responding to the matter, the Member representing Umuahia North, Hon. Kelechi Onuzuruike, and the Member representing Bende North, Hon. Emmanuel Ndubuisi reminded the House that insecurity affects more than just Ukwa West State Constituency and that the request to establish a Special Security Fund is inappropriate, while the Member representing Umuahia South, Hon. Jerry Uzosike, and the Member representing Isiala-Ngwa South, Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kanu supported his request stating that the security situation in the state should be addressed with immediate effect to protect lives and properties.
Following several deliberations by lawmakers, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, directed the Clerk of the House, Sir John Pedro Irokansi, to write letters to the relevant bodies in response to the requests made on the Matter.
The House also invited the management of Abia State University, Turu, and the Chief Medical Director of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH, to explain why the university lost accreditation in the Faculty of Medicine.
However, it is believed that the University’s loss of accreditation was caused by the ABSUTH Staff’s strike over unpaid 30 months salary and allowances, as claimed by Vice Chancellor Professor Onyemaechi M. Ogbulu.
As the House adjourned plenary, the Assembly, which was not satisfied by their assertions, told them to return next week, Tuesday 28th, with a clearer explanation for why they lost accreditation and a better way forward.