Suspected kidnappers and secret cult members have relocated to villages in Imo State.
The criminals relocated to the villages following their dislodgement by the police in Owerri, the state capital. Residents are now living in fear over the development. Sources said the criminals had begun unleashing terror on the villages.
The sources added that the criminals had raped, robbed and kidnapped their victims in villages. Investigation by National Mirror revealed that no fewer than five people, including students had been kidnapped, robbed and raped by the criminals.
This is even as the police have intensified efforts to curb violent crimes across the state. At Otulu community in Oru West Local Government Area of the state, residents have been living in fear of the rampaging criminals.
A middle-aged man, who identified himself as Ikechukwu, said that living in the community had become hellish, saying: “There is no day you don’t hear of robbery in the area.
“These criminals have continued to perpetrate these crimes with impunity. Every day, you see some of them gathered at odd places like the market square and uncompleted buildings where they smoke Indian hemp and other hard drugs.”
Also in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, the crime wave is on the rise. Elelem, Amala and Umuekunne villages – all in the local government area – have become den of kidnappers, armed robbers and rapists.
Some of the robbery incidents along the Aba/Owerri Road were said to have been carried out by the criminals living in these communities.
It was learnt that most traditional rulers and senior government officials were not helping matters as pleas by the state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Musa Katsina, to expose criminal elements in their domains had fallen on deaf ears.
Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area is also identified as the den of notorious armed robbers and kidnappers. Another security challenge confronting the communities is the growing number of cult groups.
The cult groups were said have been initiating minors to perpetrate violent crimes. In the last two months, over 20 under aged cult group members were arrested at various points of initiation.
A police source, who did not want his name mentioned, said that community leaders refused to cooperate with security agencies in order to tackle the criminal activities. The source expressed worry over the increasing criminal activities in the hinterlands, blaming the development on the community leaders’ lack of cooperation.
He said: “It is worrisome that some leaders are not cooperating with security agencies to stamp out criminal activities in Imo communities. Local government sole administrators, traditional rulers and religious leaders have failed to report criminal activities in their neighbourhood to the police.
“Some traditional rulers and other community leaders shield the notorious criminals from arrest and oftentimes are allowed to patrol the villages from where they plan their onslaught on the people.”
