By Abba-Eku Onyeka
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc committee, currently interfacing with security agencies to reduce banditry, assassination, kidnapping and other criminalities in Abia State has lamented that the degree of insecurity in the region has gone deep, saying that it has shaken the very foundation and corporate existence of the region.
Speaking during a meeting with some security agencies in Abuja at the weekend, the Chairman of the committee, Hon.Obi Agocha lamented that, despite various pragmatic measures, being taken by security agencies, insecurity within the region, according to him continues.
Explaining the rationale behind his committee’s meeting, the lawmaker disclosed that it was meant to interface with security agencies toward addressing the lingering insecurity that had cast a shadow in Abia state and the region at large.
The Chairman equally informed that security challenges all over the world required a collective strategic approach, urging the security agencies and all stakeholders to be prepared to tackle the menace for the betterment of the region and the country in general.
“We must collaborate to nip this crisis in the bud and work in synergy to create a stronger force against insecurity in the region,” he emphasized, adding that, Umunneochi local government area of Abia state, which according to him has become the epic centre of the battle, has a cross boundary with other states in the geopolitical zone.
He stated that most of the non-state actors, such as IPOB and Eastern Security Network often came to commit crimes in that area and disappear to neighbouring states.
Earlier in his speech, the chairman expressed displeasure over the absence of some security agencies invited for the meeting, even as he threatened that lawmakers would not condone such a negative attitude, especially on topical issues that have to do with security.
Security agencies present during the meeting were the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
