The Senator representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly, Victor Umeh has appealed to armed gangs operating in Anambra State to lay down their arms in the interest of peace and progress of the state.
In a statement he personally signed, in reaction to the gruesome murder yesterday (Sunday, October 20) of several indigenes of Nibo community, Awka South LGA, Umeh said killings and wasting of human lives diminish the State.
Tasking Governor Soludo on the provision of security for life and property in the state, Umeh reminded the Governor that security remains the primary responsibility of the government, noting that the consequences of insecurity in the state are that people are scared from returning home while businesses are discouraged from investments in Anambra State.
His words: “It is with shock and deep pain that I condemn the shooting which took place in Nibo in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra Centrral Senatorial District, in Anambra State on Sunday, 20th October, 2024,” the statement read in part.
“From the information I received from an indigene of Nibo who is a major stakeholder in the community, about 16 People were killed in the shooting, with several other injured persons still lying critically ill in hospitals.
“This shooting which took place a few poles from the Governor’s Lodge, shows how unsafe our State has become. There have been tales of killings and kidnappings across the State without any visible efforts to stem the tide for a long time now.
“While I commiserate with the families of the victims and the Nibo community, I urge people who are killing and kidnapping people in the State to lay down their arms. Killings and wasting of human lives go a long way in diminishing our State.Those events scare our people from returning home and discourage businesses and investments (from berthing) in Anambra State.
“I hereby remind the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo to provide adequate security for lives and properties in Anambra State as this is the primary responsibility of the government. The outcry of the citizens over the unsafe and porous security in the State should not be politicized by the agents of the State government.This is a matter of grave concern to all and sundry.”
