•Governor Soludo and gunmen
Labour Party (LP) senators and members of the House of Representatives from Anambra State, have decried the ‘alarming’ insecurity in the state, urging Governor Charles Soludo to take urgent steps to contain the situation.
The lawmakers noted that killings, kidnappings and other violent crimes had become daily occurrences in the state, adding that the situation called for “sober reflections” and immediate responses by the state government, reports Saturday Tribune.
In a statement jointly signed by the National Assembly Caucus of the LP from the state, they said the approach by the government’s officials in attacking Rev. Fr. Ebube Obinma and anyone who spoke against insecurity in the state would not yield the needed results of ensuring safety for the people.
Fr. Obinma, a vocal cleric, has lately criticised the government’s handling of the state’s security situation, demanding more realistic actions.
According to the caucus, among the current victims of kidnappers still being held are a member of the state House of Assembly, one reverend father and two reverend sisters.
They are Hon. Justice Azuka (representing Onitsha North Constituency 1), Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, two reverend sisters, and many others, according to the caucus.
“This highlights the urgent need for the state government to take decisive actions to address the growing insecurity crisis”, the lawmakers further stated.
Those who signed the statement were Sen. Victor Umeh; Sen. Tony Nwoye; Hon. Ozodinobi George; Hon. Afam Victor Ogene; Hon. Idu Godwin Emeka; Hon. Lilian Oroegbu; Hon Aniekwe Peter; and Hon.
Uchenna Annie-Okonkwo.
The statement reads partly, “The attention of Labour Party National Assembly Caucus (Anambra State), has been drawn to incessant and unwarranted media attacks by officials of Anambra State Government and their media warriors on Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obinma popularly known as Fr. Ebube Muonso, for beckoning to the Anambra State Government and Governor Chukwuma Soludo to curb insecurity of lives, properties and kidnapping incidents in the state.
“As we speak right now, our colleague and party man, Hon. Justice Azuka, representing Onitsha North Constituency 1, elected on Labour Party Platform, Rev. Fr. Joseph Igweagu, two Reverend sisters and many others are still in the kidnappers’ den.
“To be honest, we are disappointed and shocked by the approach of the Anambra State Government, that instead of taking note of the message of the man of God who should be commended for speaking out and possibly look inwards on how best to solve this security problem, they are busy attacking the messenger (Fr Ebube Muonso).
“We know as a matter of fact that immediately after this press release calling for sober reflections on how to solve this security problem, the hired media warriors and Anambra State Government officials will unleash on us a tirade and call us worse names than they are calling Fr Ebube Muonso.
“But, of course, that will not bother us because we are used to it, but we appeal to the agents and media warriors of Anambra State Government to leave Fr Ebube Muonso alone.
“We, therefore, call on Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to rise to the occasion and tackle this menace because the security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government.
“As Legislators at the Federal level, steps are equally being taken on how best we can all collaborate to solve this nagging problem bedevilling our dear state.
“Once more, we passionately appeal to the Anambra State Government and its media warriors to leave Fr. Ebube Muonso alone and solicit prayers from him and other men and women of God for a solution to the insecurity challenge in Anambra State.”
Recall that the LP’s presidential candidate at the 2023 polls, Mr Peter Obi, has also consistently raised the alarm over the killings and kidnappings occurring in Anambra state and general insecurity in the country.
Only yesterday, Obi took to his X handle to lament again and call for action by governments.
He wrote, “This is exemplified by the constant kidnapping and, sometimes, killing of our farmers, teachers and lecturers in different schools and universities.
“Just recently, the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala, was killed. Yesterday, two reverend sisters, one a principal and other a teacher, who work in our different schools in Anambra state, were again kidnapped.
“These are people contributing immensely to our national development through their sacrifices in farms, educational and health facilities in different remote villages.
“Nothing justifies these kidnaps, and killings, as well as those of many Nigerians who suffer the same fate daily.
“This worrisome situation continues to demand urgent attention from us, the leaders.
“One wonders if the reported cases of kidnapping and killings are this much, then how many go unreported?
“Again, I appeal to the government to employ every security arsenal at its disposal to end this menace and ensure the safe rescue of those in captivity. And to the criminals terrorizing our people, I urge them to have a change of heart and desist from their evil ways.”
