The residents of Umuohu Okpula in Ndume Ibeku area of Abia State have sent an SOS to President Bola Tinubu, the state governor, and the Inspector General of Police over the incessant intimidation and harassment of residents by security agents operating in the state.
Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia North Local Government Area, the state’s capital, the Chairman of Umuohu Okpula Ndume, Mr Okwudiri Mbachu, alleged that some personnel of the security agents, particularly the officers of the ”Operation Crush”, have been engaging in the destruction of houses and arrest of indigenes of the community.
He noted that police officers from CPS in Umuahia are major culprits of the act.
Mbachu also alleged that the officers have been carrying out mass arrests, breaking into the houses of residents.
According to the Chairman of Umuohu Okpula Ndume, the security agents beat up residents over an alleged petition by one Chigozie Ohabuiro Alias Dozie Way from Ihie Ndume over the wrongful purchase of the community land.
He, however, wondered why the Army and Police would embark on the act of intimidation and destruction of people’s houses in a matter that is before a competent court in the state over the wrongful purchase of a sandfield portion of Ehimiri River along the Ehimiri axis of Umuahia Ikot-Ekpene road belonging to the community, by the said Ohabuiro.
Mbachu alleged that some persons in the community conspired and sold the sandfield part of the river to Ohabuiro without the collective approval of the community.
The community was vehemently opposed to the selling of the land. The matter has continued at the Umuahia High Court.
Mbachu called on the state Government and the Commissioner of Police, Abia state, to intervene in the matter to avoid breakdown of law and order.
Mr Obinna Onyebuchi, the Secretary of the Community, said the action of the men of Operation Crush, if not adequately controlled, could truncate the existing peace in the community, while calling on Governor Alex Otti to intervene urgently.
108scoop.com gathered that in a recent operation carried out by men of Operation Crush, an eleven-year-old male child was allegedly kicked on the stomach by the security operatives as they destroy furniture.
