For several days, the local security a.k.a vigilante put in place seemed to be the prime target following the incessant attacks by the gunmen, which claimed more than three lives in Umuchu town, Anambra State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the attacks have thrown the town into panic as the indigenes in diaspora now prefer to stay away from the town because their lives were no longer considered safe.
Last week, two security men at the project site of a power station located along Nkwunato area of Ibughubu Umuchu were shot dead by the gunmen, who have virtually taken over Umuchu/Umunze highways.
While the people were still mourning the deceased, another attack took place on 8th March, 2024, as the same gunmen attacked and killed another security man, identified as Azubuike Ezenwa.
It was gathered that the armed men shot sporadically for several minutes after killing the late Ezenwa and injured other victims before they escaped unchallenged.
Already, there is no Police presence in Umuchu town after the hoodlums had burned down the Police station. Police officers deployed to Umuchu Division stayed away because their lives were not secured too and the town had depended on the local security over a period of time.
According to eyes witnesses, the latest casualty was opposite St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ibughubu village, Umuchu, along the highway, when the gunmen saw him from their vehicle and shot him dead immediately before they escaped through Umunze town after shooting sporadically in the air.
Apart from the incessant attacks and killing, there has been several abductions and kidnappings for ransom as well in Umuchu town, which has prevented many of the Indigenes from coming back home over time.
P.M.EXPRESS investigation revealed that insecurity has been of one major challenges on the present leadership in Umuchu town despite the fact that the Transitional Chairman of Aguata Local Government, Chief Chibueze Ofobuike, is from the town.
The indigenes were said to have been waiting for the intervention of government through the TC Chairman, Chief Ofobuike, for the promised joint security patrol team in Umuchu before the situation worsened.
Some of the indigenes who spoke to our correspondent decried the ugly situation in the town while pleading with the State Government, Aguata Local Government Chairman, the ruling APGA, whose National chairman, Chief Sly Ezeokenwa is also from Umuchu, for prompt attention to the security situation and provision of a joint security team that will be positioned at some strategic points in Umuchu to prevent further attacks on the people.
“We don’t want it to get to the point that we will have to leave the town because of the deteriorated security situation. We cannot be playing with the lives of the people at this point in time” one of the Indigenes who spoke to our correspondent said.