The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the heads of security agencies in the country to rise up and urgently tackle the rise in gangsterism and violent criminal activities in Ogwuaniocha community of Ogbaru Local Government Area in Anambra State.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled: “Urgent Need to Rescue Ogwuaniocha Community in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra from the Jaws of Violent Criminal Gangs By Hon. Afam Victor Ogene at plenary.
Ogene while debating on the motion stated that he is aware that the security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government;
He is also aware that Ogwuaniocha in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state is an oil bearing community, (contributing over 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day), which earned the state its oil producing status;
He further said that he is alarm that violent gangs have set up camps in and around Ogwuaniocha Community, sacked the residents, kidnapped the traditional ruler (Igwe), killed and maimed many, unchallenged, which is a desecration of the traditional institution and erosion of our cultural values;
He said: “Worried that there is a resurgence of crisis in the community and its environs last week, leading to abduction of over 20 people who are yet to be accounted for, a trend that has kept recurring since November, 2021, without meaningful steps by the Anambra State Government, aimed at rescuing the Igwe, who is still unaccounted for, or explore any administrative measures to finding solution to the problem.
“Concern that the displaced people of Ogwuaniocha are going through difficult times without any provision for shelter or relief materials as they have no Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps; Further concern that while oil production goes on seamlessly in Ogwuaniocha, the people have been forced to stay off their community for two years now – since Monday, November 15, 2023 – no farming activity, no school for the children, no business activities as a result of the occupation of the community by the criminal gangs, who have relocated from other parts of the state and set up camps in and around the community”.
Consequently, the House presided over by the Speaker Hon Tajudeen Abass unanimously adopted the motion with a voice vote.
The House set up an Ad-hoc Committee to unravel the remote and persisting cause of the crisis and come up with suggestions on how to resolve same.
The green chamber also directee the Committee on National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to set up an IDP camp for the people and provide them with relief materials.
