Spreading Terror

Robbers being paraded

Residents of Oru East and West local government areas now live in fear over the growing mennace of armed robbers
By Eugenia Okpara, Owerri
Even as Governor Ikedi Ohakim declared zero-tolerance for men of the underworld, urging them to surrender themselves for skill acquisition or simply leave the State, indigenes of Oru East and West local government areas of the state dread nightfall due to the activities of the hoodlums.
In the last two months, hoodlums who mainly operate on motorcycles have made life hellish for residents of Otulu, Mgbidi and their environs as they go from house to house robbing, beating and even raping wives and daughters before their husbands and fathers.
According to an indigene of the area, people now live in fear, not knowing the next victim since they rob from village to village, house to house, adding that many have been compelled to desert their homes immediately it is 6 p.m, to either sleep inside the bush or travel to Owerri.
“We have been under siege by men of the underworld, who operate in groups on motorcycles for the last two months. Nightfall has become a nightmare for the residents of Oru East and West, as they go from house to house, robbing, maiming and raping people. At Awo junction along Owerri-Onitsha Road, all the shops have been severally vandalised and looted. They go the extra mile of blocking the major highway to rob travellers”, the resident lamented.
Appealing to the Imo State Government and the Police to come to their aid, a victim who does not want his name in print for fear of reprisals, while narrating his ordeal told The Source that armed robbers numbering over 10 stormed their house, put a knife on the neck of his -96 year- old father and ordered the old man to produce him or he would be killed instantly.
He further revealed that he was forced to come out of hiding when it became clear that the hoodlums were determined to kill his father, lamenting. “It was hell for me watching small boys that I can feed batter my old father. I felt miserable not being able to defend him. So, instead of allowing them to kill my father who had earlier been beaten I had to come out”.
The victim stated that he was beaten to a stupor for not responding to their call on him to come out of hiding on time before their swept clean his house and that of his elder brother who lives abroad, stressing that his younger sister was lucky as they did not know that she was around as this saved her from being raped.
Against the foregoing, most of the victims who are returnees from either the United States of America (USA), or Europe have ran back to their stations, vowing not return to the country again, let alone their villages due to the ugly experiences in the hands of bandits.
When the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Audu Abubakar was contacted on the activities of the robbers in the two council areas, he confirmed the report, saying that the command has taken appropriate measures to contend with the problem.
His words: “I am aware of the activities of the hoodlums. I have sent my men who have been monitoring the area. They have gotten names of some of them as well as the various locations of their operation. As I am talking to you now (Monday, June 18) at least 10 of them have been arrested”.
Abubakar explained that he raised a team for the operation immediately he got reports on the activities of armed robbers in the two local government areas, adding that his men will contentd with them as the team is formidable.
The police boss reassured the people and residents of the area and urge them to assist the police with more information on the activities of the deviants who, he said, did not fall from the moon rather live among them.