A group of Abia businessmen, Professionals and Captains of industry, Abia Stakeholders Forum (ASF) have called for the immediate redeployment of the Commissioner of Police of the Abia State, Janet Agbede for alleged incompetence.
The call was contained in a press statement signed by its President, Chief Nwogu Chukwudi, and Secretary – General, Dr Nwadiba Nwosu in Aba.
The group alleged that the growing level of insecurity in Abia confirmed the police incompetence hence the need for her replacement with a more competent hand.
“We demand the immediate redeployment of the Abia Commissioner of Police, CP. Janet Agbade from Abia State and a more competent hand deployed to Abia to flush out criminals from the state.
“We are totally disappointed over the level of insecurity in Abia State despite the presence of the police who are saddled with the responsibility of providing security in the state.
“As owners of businesses, firms and professional establishments in the state, our business is totally threatened with the level of insecurity that is ravaging the entire state.
“It will be a great disservice if we continue to keep quiet in the face of such insecurity because keeping quiet amounts to tacit approval of the crime going on in the state,” they said.
The group recalled that the prelate of the Methodist Church, His Eminence Rev. Samuel Kanu Uche was kidnapped in Abia state and a ransom of N100 million was paid to secure his release.
They also said that students of Abia State University Uturu, ABSU, and others have been killed and kidnapped within the Uturu, Umunneochi, and Isikwuato axis of the state.
They also lamented that in Aba, Aro cult’s members operate freely robbing, raping and collecting people’s valuables, phones and money without any response or challenge from the police.
“If there is a competent commissioner of police in the state, all these things happening in Abia wouldn’t have happened.
“The commissioner of Police is only collecting salaries without doing anything to show for it,” they said.
They claimed that on Thursday, 14 July, 2022, that there was a robbery along Bank Road in Umuahia the state capital, stressing that the criminals operated freely in the state because they see no security in place to be scared of.
The group also noted that residents are threatened with guns and their valuables snatched from them while women are raped in broad daylight.
“Abia is on the verge of anarchy and lawlessness if something is not done urgently to salvage the situation.
“Our call is not borne out of any personal interest, but out of a desire to ensure we are safe from criminal attacks, from the hoodlums who now see Abia as a safe haven to live in and operate,” the group said.
