Some residents and key stakeholders of the Isuaniocha community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State are urging the Federal Government and relevant authorities to establish a judicial panel of inquiry aimed at tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities, while ensuring the safety and security of lives and properties in the area.
Organized under the group ‘Concerned Indigenes,’ these stakeholders expressed deep concern over the drastic decline of Isuaniocha, which was once a rapidly developing community known for its tranquility and friendly environment. They lamented the transformation of the area into a hotspot for terrorism, banditry, and armed robbery.
During a press conference in Awka, community leaders Richard Okoye and Frederick Egwunwa shared their urgent appeal, detailing the challenges faced by a previous President General of the community amidst ongoing conflicts. They emphasized the critical need for intervention to rescue the community from escalating violence and lawlessness.
The crisis reportedly began after the former President General was inaugurated on May 4, 2017, and resisted efforts by certain individuals to divide and exploit parts of the community’s land. Okoye and Egwunwa alleged that this opposition led to local thugs being hired, initiating a wave of terror in Isuaniocha.
They recounted that from 2017 to 2022, these armed groups have committed heinous acts, including the destruction of properties worth over N200 million and a building valued at over N1 billion, belonging to prominent community members.
Following a petition to the Inspector General of Police, investigations were launched, leading to charges filed against certain individuals connected to the violence. The Inspector General has since deployed armed officers to stabilize the community.
Despite these efforts, the situation remains critical as witnesses have reportedly faced threats and attempts to silence them, with claims that some law enforcement officers have compromised their integrity by aiding the accused.
The community leaders highlighted a particularly violent incident where armed individuals, accompanied by law enforcement, stormed a residence and opened fire, resulting in multiple injuries among occupants.
They praised the deployment of armed police personnel but insisted that more must be done to eradicate criminal influences from Isuaniocha. When approached for comment, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra acknowledged awareness of the community’s distress and encouraged residents to refrain from taking matters into their own hands, offering an invitation to report grievances directly to the police command.
