By Oyem Jonathan
The Executive Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Council, Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike has decried lateness and absenteeism of security agencies and key stakeholders to the August Security Council Meeting in Ogwashi-Uku.
Describing punctuality as a mark of seriousness in security operations, the council boss stressed that any lapse in commitment could undermine recent hard-won gains in the fight against crime.
Executive chairman Aniocha South local Government council
Hon. Chukwunwike commended the joint efforts of security agencies, vigilante groups, and community stakeholders for the significant successes recorded in recent weeks, particularly their resolve to flush out criminal elements from the area.
He noted that while progress has been made, the battle against insecurity is far from over.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We can achieve more if we create jobs, feed the poor, and invest our resources in productive ventures,” he stated.
The chairman expressed deep concern over the frequent loss of lives, describing it as a “heart-wrenching and worrisome development” that demands unified action. He charged all security formations to evolve effective strategies to reduce crime to the barest minimum.
In a renewed crackdown on lawlessness, Hon. Chukwunwike reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to enforce the ban on open grazing once the grace period expires.
He also called on parents to take full responsibility for nurturing their children, warning that the growing prevalence of drug abuse among youths is a ticking time bomb fuelled by the erosion of parental values.
Seeking broader collaboration, he appealed to well-meaning individuals and organizations to join the fight against insecurity through the donation of patrol vehicles, motorcycles, funds, and other logistics to enhance operational efficiency.
As part of new measures to boost local security capacity, the council chairman announced plans to hand over brand-new motorcycles to selected, committed vigilante officers next Monday to enhance mobility and rapid response in anti-crime patrols.
Stakeholder Briefings:
In his remark, ACP Akpan Okon Daniel, the Police Area Commander, condemned the unlawful occupation of land by non-natives without the consent of royal fathers and community stakeholders, an act he identified as a key driver of herder–farmer clashes.
The Divisional Police Officers of Nsukwa and Ogwashi-Uku, CSP Andy Joshua and CSP Okoyomon Israel, presented situation reports from their respective divisions.
While Nsukwa remains relatively peaceful apart from a recent murder case now under higher police investigation, Ogwashi-Uku is contending with incidents of kidnapping, cultism, reprisal attacks linked to herder–farmer disputes, and other security threats.
Representatives of the Nigerian Army, Captain D.U. Kwujeli, and the NSCDC, Mrs. Onyekwere Helen, alongside traditional rulers, DSS officials, vigilante groups, and presidents-general of various communities, echoed similar concerns.
They decried the continuing challenges of killings, kidnappings, parallel youth elections, and unresolved land disputes in Isheagu and Ewulu
communities.
Royal Endorsement
The highlight of the meeting was when His Royal Majesty, Obi Dr. Henry Kikachukwu Afamefune J.P., Obi of Ubulu-Unor, praised Hon. Chukwunwike for his proactive leadership, particularly in opening up the national grid corridor (popularly known as the power line corridor), a route previously exploited by criminals for illicit activities. He commended the chairman’s visionary stance against social vices and his commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
The meeting drew representatives from the NDLEA, Federal Road Safety Corps, Fire Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service (Ogwashi-Uku), and other security formations, as well as community leaders and royal fathers.
