The Nation Newspaper

Tag: abia

  • Abia averts major fires

    The timely intervention of the Abia State Fire Service personnel has prevented major fires in Aba, the state’s commercial nerve.

    The fires started at two locations in the city on Sunday but were quickly put out by the firemen.

    The Nation gathered that the incidents occurred at a popular bar CS Park by Georges, and at No. 45 Jubilee Road.

    Properties at both facilities were estimated at above N900m.

    It was learnt that while the fire at the CS Park affected the Bush Bar, about eight to nine rooms were affected in the incident that happened at No. 45 Jubilee Road.

    Sources said that no life was lost in the two infernos following prompt arrival of men of the state fire service to the scenes.

    Sources around the CS Park told our reporter that the fire started when some wedding guests were arriving at the park. Drinkers and other patrons fled in different directions as a result.

    A man, who gave his name as Ikechukwu, who claimed to have witnessed the fire outbreak, said the fire was so intense that the two fire extinguishers at the park could not put it out.

    Ikechukwu recalled that a similar incident had occurred on December 24, 2015 at the same venue, adding that if not for the arrival of the men of the state fire service, the loss of property in the park would have been as disastrous as the previous incident.

    He thanked God that no life was lost and also applauded men of the fire service for their gallantry.

    The Abia State fire chief, Mr. Victor Gbaruko could not be reached for comments, but a source in the fire service confirmed the two fire incidents, stressing that they were investigating the cause of the infernos.

    The source told our reporter that they saved property worth several millions of naira in the two incidents, adding that if not for their prompt response to the two distress calls, the whole CS Park would have been engulfed and adjourning buildings and shops near No.45 Jubilee road would have been consumed.

    The source said that sources told them that the owner of the lubricants was the incident occurred offloaded the consignment on Saturday before the unfortunate incident happened.

    According to the source, “there was no electricity supply at No.45 Jubilee and even in adjourning buildings. So, we are yet to find out what exactly was the possible cause of the fire incident and that of CS Park.”

  • Abia averts major fires

    The timely intervention of the Abia State Fire Service personnel has prevented major fires in Aba, the state’s commercial nerve.

    The fires started at two locations in the city on Sunday but were quickly put out by the firemen.

    The Nation gathered that the incidents occurred at a popular bar CS Park by Georges, and at No. 45 Jubilee Road.

    Properties at both facilities were estimated at above N900m.

    It was learnt that while the fire at the CS Park affected the Bush Bar, about eight to nine rooms were affected in the incident that happened at No. 45 Jubilee Road.

    Sources said that no life was lost in the two infernos following prompt arrival of men of the state fire service to the scenes.

    Sources around the CS Park told our reporter that the fire started when some wedding guests were arriving at the park. Drinkers and other patrons fled in different directions as a result.

    A man, who gave his name as Ikechukwu, who claimed to have witnessed the fire outbreak, said the fire was so intense that the two fire extinguishers at the park could not put it out.

    Ikechukwu recalled that a similar incident had occurred on December 24, 2015 at the same venue, adding that if not for the arrival of the men of the state fire service, the loss of property in the park would have been as disastrous as the previous incident.

    He thanked God that no life was lost and also applauded men of the fire service for their gallantry.

    The Abia State fire chief, Mr. Victor Gbaruko could not be reached for comments, but a source in the fire service confirmed the two fire incidents, stressing that they were investigating the cause of the infernos.

    The source told our reporter that they saved property worth several millions of naira in the two incidents, adding that if not for their prompt response to the two distress calls, the whole CS Park would have been engulfed and adjourning buildings and shops near No.45 Jubilee road would have been consumed.

    The source said that sources told them that the owner of the lubricants was the incident occurred offloaded the consignment on Saturday before the unfortunate incident happened.

    According to the source, “there was no electricity supply at No.45 Jubilee and even in adjourning buildings. So, we are yet to find out what exactly was the possible cause of the fire incident and that of CS Park.”

     

  • Community exposes more suspects in Abia

    Community exposes more suspects in Abia

    After destroying petrol vandals’ camp and reservoirs in an Aba, Abia State forest, the police have arrested suspected beverage fakers, Indian hemp merchants and illegal gun makers, with the aid of locals. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    Things are looking up in the Abia State Police Command. Not long ago, its officers tracked down petrol vandals to a forest near Aba, setting their makeshift camp and reservoirs on fire. Now more suspects in diverse crime fields have been hauled in. The locals played a huge role in the operations leading to the destruction of the vandals’ base as well as the arrest of the latest suspects, some of whom held for faking beverages, trafficking in prohibited Indian hemp and making guns believed to be sold to robbers and kidnappers.

    When Mr Joshak Habila took office as Commissioner of Police in the state, he spoke of his intention to tackle crime through partnership with residents in various villages and local government areas of the state. He also toured the communities, meeting with traditional rulers and their subjects and harping on the need for synergy with the police and other security agencies.

    That pact has started yielding fruit and the people love it. Operatives of the anti-robbery unit of the Aba Area Command and their counterparts from the Inspector-General of Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have arrested people who allegedly specialised in brewing adulterated drinks including wines. They have also held a man with Indian hemp weighing about 50kg, as well as three other suspects in Ukwa West Local Government Area.

    Speaking at Obehie Police Divisional Headquarters where three suspected gun makers were paraded, Mr. Habila said the suspects identified as Ejiofor Kanu, Udo Nwanmuo Jacob and Allwell Anyanwu were indigenes of Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.

    Habila commended the SARS men for their prompt response and their ability to make good use of information available at their disposals.

    He said the SARS operatives moved in after a resident tipped them off about the gun manufacturing suspects.

    The CP said the operatives recovered such items as saws, a gas cylinder, an oxygen gas, pipes and hammers, among others, including already assembled guns ready to be shipped to their clients.

    It was also learnt that the suspects had been in the business for over 10 years, an occupation from which they funded their children’s education.

    The Abia police chief recalled how the area was noted for such crimes as kidnapping and armed robbery, among others, especially during the days of Osisikankwu, the abduction kingpin.

    Habila said residents would have been in grave danger had the suspects continued their business unhindered.

    He said the suspects would be prosecuted as soon as investigations were concluded, warning such criminals to look for legitimate work to make a living or face the consequence of their actions. He added that efforts were being made to trace some of the people who patronised the gun manufacturers.

    He reiterated the commitment of the police to ensuring that Abians and investors carry out their activities freely without fear of intimidation or harassment by any person or group of persons.

    The suspects in an interview accepted that they do not have the licence to manufacture guns. They, however, said that they only manufactured and sold dane guns to hunters in and outside the village and denied that their clients used the guns for robbery.

    Operatives of the anti-robbery squad, Aba Area Command, have also arrested a 27-year-old man identified as Mr. Tochukwu Nna with a substance suspected to be Indian hemp weighing 50kg.

    Nna, a native of Isiala Mbano, The Nation gathered, was arrested at Umuobikwa Village in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state, about 15 minutes drive off the commercial city of Aba.

    According to reports, the suspect was to deliver the banned substance to a yet to be identified facility where it would be sold to its consumers.

    A police source said the command had information that the substance came in from Benin, Edo State.

    The quick response of the anti-robbery squad paid off as the tricycle conveying the hemp broke down at Umuobiakwa village, causing the suspect to drop it in a nearby bush.

    The Nation learnt that while the suspect and the tricycle operator  were trying to repair their vehicle,  men of the anti-robbery stormed the area. The tricycle operator ran away while the suspected merchant was apprehended.

    The suspect also named his supplier.

    The state command’s public relations officer Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu confirmed Nna’s arrest,  adding that he has been handed over to the state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

    The anti-robbery unit also nabbed two persons suspected to be producers of adulterated drinks in Aba. The   police are equally in the hunt for   other members of the gang who fled the scene on sighting security operatives.

    Some of the drinks allegedly brewed by the suspects include Seaman’s Schnapps, St. Remy, Toma Red Grape, 501 and over 12 other brands of spirits and red wines which are in high demand at the market.

    It was gathered that the suspects were arrested after a tip-off.

    A source told our correspondent that the Area Commander, Peter Wagbara upon receiving intelligence about the act, directed his anti-robbery unit to act fast, leading to the success recorded during the operation.

     

     

  • Skills for Abia rural dwellers

    Skills for Abia rural dwellers

    The wife of Abia State Governor Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has lifted the spirits of grassroots dwellers in the state through her skill acquisition programme.

    The village of Umuobiakwa came alive when her convoy drove into the local primary school which is a stone’s throw from Mrs Ikpeazu’s country home. The villagers had been waiting for her. On the home call, she launched the skill acquisition programme.

    Speaking at the event, Governor Ikpeazu expressed his desire for a highly skilled and productive populace in Abia as one of the ways to ensure that the economy of the state sustained to stand the test of time.

    Ikpeazu said that when the people of the state are well trained in different skills by the by the different skill acquisition centers in different parts of the state that it as a sure way of guaranteeing genuine economic growth.

    The governor noted that when the people are imbued with skills of their choice that they will be too busy to remember embarking on violent crimes like kidnapping and armed robbery, stressing that with the scheme that crime rate will be reduced in the state.

    Ikpeazu said that skill acquisition is the back bone of economic growth, “When the people especially the youths in our society are equipped with different skills that will make them self sustaining the issue of crime will be a thing of the past”.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Uche Ihediwa, Ikpeazu said the trainees will benefit from an export promotion programme that will enable their goods to be sold outside the country, and urged them to learn the skills adequately so their products would

    meet international standards.

    In her speech at the event, the Wife of the Governor Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu disclosed that 100 participants who are benefitting from the first phase of the programme will be given equipment and startup capital  to enable them become small scale entrepreneurs.

    Mrs. Ikpeazu described the program as a welcome development looking at the economic conditions of the country and revealed that her husband is sponsoring the program in Umuobiakwa as a way of bettering their lot.

    In her remarks the State coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment Lady Buchi Ojei urged the trainees to properly utilize the opportunity of becoming self-reliant.

    Speaking on behalf of the trainees, Mrs. Eberechukwu Nwaubani thanked Dr. Ikpeazu for giving them the opportunity of turning their lives around, adding that the programme will have a multiplier effect on the community.

    In their contributions a traditional ruler, Eze John Ikpeaba, and Chief Roland Njoku prayed that God will bless the family of the governor for attracting the programme and urged the beneficiaries to ensure the effort of the governor will not be in vain.

  • Abia varsity murderers

    •The butchery that happened in the name of cults must be investigated and punished

    Cultism has been with us for long. Indeed, it has become a way of life for many students in our campuses and other tertiary institutions and, regrettably, in some secondary schools. Rival cult groups usually unleash terror in many of the institutions, killing and maiming in the process. In some cases, they hold hostage the school authorities who dare not challenge their activities.

    But criminals masquerading as cultists at the Abia State University, Uturu, took cultism to new lows when they beheaded two undergraduates of the university last Saturday night, and thereafter used their heads as goal posts. Their roommate sustained severe injuries from machete cuts inflicted by the criminals. The victims – Ebuka Nwaigbo,  a 300-level student of the Department of Estate Management,  and Samuel Ethelbert,  300-level student of the Department of Political Science – were living at Chi-Doo Lodge along  the Uturu-Afikpo Road.

    They were killed by members of a rival cult group who were on a revenge mission for one of their members that was killed last month. According to a source, their murder was as a result of the activities of two cult groups, Burkinafaso and Mafia, that had engaged each other in a battle of supremacy for years in the university.

    “Last month, one Collins Agwu, a member of  Burkinafaso,  was gunned down by the Mafia. His colleagues (Burkinafaso)  decided to retaliate  by killing members of the Mafia. That night, they came to the lodge on four motorbikes carrying four persons each and they forced themselves in when one of the students living there came out to buy Indomie Noodles. They beheaded their targets while the third person, their visitor, was seriously wounded. After killing them, they carried their heads and bodies in a sack and took it to a playground where they (cult boys) normally play football near the school gate and mounted their heads as goalposts.”

    It was horrible that students could behead their fellow students, but to use the heads of their victims as goalposts compounds the bestiality. A university is supposed to be a citadel of learning; it is also supposed to ‘pass through’ those who have passed through its four walls. Unfortunately, some students only pass through the university without allowing the university to pass through them, which is also important. Otherwise, universities would only be awarding degrees to those found worthy in learning. But most citations at graduation ceremonies say the graduates have been found worthy both in learning and character. Regrettably, some of our students, for various reasons, forget the essence of their being in the school by engaging in cultism and other vices that add no value to their lives, or at best turn them to criminals.

    A few years ago, many of the cultists in the higher institutions publicly renounced cultism and pledged to turn a new leaf. Nigerians and the government forgave their sins, embraced them and asked them to go but sin no more. Sadly, like dogs, many have returned to their vomit because they see cultism as rewarding since they are hardly made to account for their illegalities.

    We welcome the investigative panel set up by the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, to expose those behind the killings. The panel should collaborate with the Abia State Police Command that has mandated its criminal investigation department to probe the killings. We must state, however, that there should be no cover up because we will continue to experience such criminality until we begin to call people who kill in the name of cultism the murderers that they are.

    When people who have attained the age of majority kill willfully, they have committed murder and should therefore be apprehended and prosecuted for same. ‘Thou shall not kill’ is a law or commandment that is well known among all the major religions in the country. We are not helping the society when we allow adults who killed to escape justice simply because they are students.

  • Abia rerun: Race of the titans

    Abia rerun: Race of the titans

    The Abia North Senatorial rerun election,which holds today, has heightened the curiosity of the electorate. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE reviews the situation and the chances of the candidates.

    Abia North Senatorial rerun, fixed for today, has generated lots of interests. This is hinged on the weight of the candidates jostling for the mandate of the people.

    The March 2015 election was won by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)Mao Ohuabunwa, but his victory was terminated by the Appeal Court.

    Those to watch in the rerun are the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, David Onuoha-Bourdex; the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) candidate, Orji Uzor Kalu; the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nnenna Okoro and Labour Party (LP)candidate, Nwakwu Orji.

    They have intensified their campaigns to convince voters of what they would do for the senatorial zone when elected. Stakeholders, party faithful and other interest groups are keenly following the outcome of the rerun. They are of the view that Abia North Senatorial zone is in dire need of a redeemer.

    The secretary of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Menelik Ukpai, said the zone may not need a superlative senator but it certainly does not need a lawmaker trying to learn the rope and will sit at the red chamber only to support the proposal of others during debate.

    He said: “We believe that those who are currently vying for the senatorial seat in Abia North on various platforms are well-meaning citizens; many of them have found success in other fields of endeavour. However, we need experience people in lawmaking to represent the zone.”

    Today’s election would be successful if the stakeholders play by the rule of the game. In the build up to the rerun, APGA candidate Onuoha-Boudex caution against acts capable of undermining the electoral process.

    He said the PPA candidate, Kalu, was heating the polity and there was need for him to change his campaign method.  According to him, “The former governor must desist from practices that could cause confusion, undermine the transparency or precipate crisis in the senatorial zone.”

    But, those in camp of the former governor said the APGA candidate was merely chasing shadow, stressing that there was no iota of truth in his claim.

    Defending the former governor, PPA chieftain, Benjamin Kalu, said the party’s candidate is coasting to victory.  He said: “Orji Uzor Kalu will perform more than any other person aspiring to represent Abia North in the Senate based on his past experience.”

    The PPA chieftain maintained that the former governor has contributed remarkably to the growth of Abia. “Kalu is a household name having served in the House of Representatives from 1992 -1993, during which he moved the famous Dual Citizenship Right Bill. He was Deputy Chairman House Committee on Finance and Internal Affairs.”

    The rerun made the parties to throw banters at one another; a situation which compelled the electorate to demand additional security during the poll.

    Abia State PDP chairman, Senator Emma Nwaka, said the party is not relenting in its effort to bounce back. He cautioned that trouble makers should stay away from the poll, noting that PDP does not believe in violence. “I want to urge the voters to conduct themselves orderly. I must say anyone who intends to forwent trouble should desist from such act because security operatives are on the red alert.”

    To avoid a repeat of what happened in the last election which was characterised by irregularities, analysts said INEC and security must live up to their duty.

    It was in view of the irregularities observed during the election that the PPA’s candidate had his prayers at the Appeal Court answered.

    Justice I.G Mbaba of the Appeal Court during judgment noted that “It is better for a fresh election which would be transparent and credible conducted than allow the one that produced the PDP candidate as winner to subsist. It was marred by fraud and the result mutilated.”

    Political observers said the rerun is an opportunity to elect a competent hand who will fight to correct the plight of the people. Abia North has suffered lots of neglect with cases of erosion and washed away farmlands visible.

    A stakeholder, Orji Eke, the coordinator of Mandate for Good Governance in Abia North (MAGGN), said the people yearn for change and would vote only those that can bring the change. He said: “Abia North people yearn for change and they see the candidate of the APC, Nnenna Lancaster-Okoro, as the better candidate. She is the most outstanding one that can redouble the pace of progress Abia North needed at this point.

    “Majority of the electorate see her as the symbol of change that would transform and connect the zone to the centre politics. We cannot afford to be watching from the sideline in this dispensation,” he said.

    Political observers said the electoral fraud that was the order in the last election would have no place this time around. They noted that the change mantra of the President Muhammadu Buhari led government is already having rippled effect. “Some of the agencies including those the PDP had used in the last election have been neutralised, those who compromised in the rerun election would face the law.”

    The candidates have done their beat during the campaigns. The outcome of the poll will go a long way to show who actually touched the heart of the people. The electorate expect nothing short of performance at the Red Chamber.

  • ‘Review tricycle ban in Abia’

    Commuters and commercial tricycle operators in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, have urged the state government to review the restriction of commercial tricycle operation in parts of the state.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state government, Mr. Godwin Adindu said, inter alia, “Following the resurgence of sundry crimes in the two metropolises of Aba and Umuahia, the governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has reinforced the ban on the operation of Okada riders within the metropolis of Aba and Umuahia. All Keke operators should limit their operations to 7pm daily till further notice…The governor also warns all criminals in the state to run away from the state or face extermination.”

    Some commercial tricycle operators described the ban as a welcome development since it is geared towards checking crime, but added that it was negatively affecting their businesses. Commuters equally complained about difficulty in movement since the enforcement of the ban.

    The tricycle operators said, “We welcome the decision of the state government to tackle insecurity in the state. But we wonder why they should moved it from the 9pm it was before to 7pm. For us it is too early and on the allegation that most of the crimes committed by kidnappers and armed robbers were done using Keke, we want to say that in a twelve, there must be a Judas. But don’t they use cars to commit crimes? We have heard of “one chance” where some people pretending to be commercial bus drivers use their cars to dupe unsuspecting members of the public. Most of us, like most commercial bus drivers, load in one loading bay or the other. Nobody will use his keke registered with ASATOA or government recognised union for any illegal business. I am not saying that we (tricycle operators) are saints, but the basic thing is that the state government should properly equip the police and other security agencies in the state like Lagos recently did. Police on their own should build on intelligence gathering like their counterpart and also should learn to protect their source.

    “I live around Obohia, I must tell you that the level of crime around my area is very high and the response time or police and other security agencies whenever we are under attack is very slow. If you call police that robbers are in our area, they will either come and arrest innocent people or shoot into the air when the robbers must have completed their assignment.”

    A commuter who identified herself as Chinwe said she had to sleep in a hotel after a trip from Abuja before she could get to her residence the next day, as according to her, the road to her place is impassable except with a tricycle.

    She however, called on the state government to adopt a more proactive measures in combating crimes in the state and to see how they can partner with the police to make logistics available to the security agencies, stressing that the 7pm ban on the operations of commercial tricycle operators will do little to tackle insecurity in the state, but would cause more hardship on the people.

    “Life in Lagos is 24 hours. Go to Owerri, Akwa Ibom, Awka, Enugu State to mention but a few, you will agree with me that the state government has done enough to improve security situation in these towns. Why can’t such a thing be replicated in our state? We are talking a time when states are doing everything possible to encourage night life; a time for people to relax with friends including investors who may have spent more time during the daytime in one business meeting or the other. I am just coming back from Abuja after visiting Onitsha, Awka, amongst other cities, but I must tell you that business operators make more money at night than in the day time because government has it so. ASba is a commercial city that is being visited by people from other African countries and other parts of the world. We want to see business being on in Aba anytime of the day. People should be allowed free movement. Government should guarantee people adequate security. That is what we want and not banning of keke riders operational hours.”

    Some traders and shop owners who sell food and provisions, decrying the ban said that it is affecting their business negatively.

    A food vendor who sells noodles, fried eggs, beans and pap near Milverton said, “I and others that do the same business don’t have shops. We only sale in the night when owners of the shops we mounted canopy in front of might have gone home. That is to say that we do our business at night. Because of the ban,  we have recorded low turnout of customers. Some of our customers especially the male folk are bachelors. You know that they don’t normally cook; they from us before going home. But since the new directives came from the state government, our market has not been going well, no thanks to the state of the nation’s economy. So many of our customers now hurry to go home. Thereby negatively affecting our businesses. So, we want government of the state to look into the order and see how they can help us. If it continues, it is going to kill night life in Aba. “

  • Abia govt orders firm to pay workers

    The government of Abia State has ordered the management of the rubber company operating in Ameke and Ndi Oji Abam in Arochukwu Local Government Area to pay up its workers salaries within two days.

    Commissioner for Agriculture Uzor Azubuike gave the order at the weekend when he visited the rubber estates. He gave the company managing the Abia Rubber Company till Tuesday to clear the salary arrears or have themselves to blame.

    Azubuike also ordered that new rubber lumps should not be carried out of the premises until all outstanding debts are cleared, stressing that the company should not be making money while their workers suffered.

    He expressed disappointment that for more than a year, the investor had not remitted its dues to the state government, even failing to keep to the terms of the agreement, including replacing the ageing rubber trees.

    The commissioner said the government would not allow anyone frustrate its effort of using agriculture to revive the economy, pointing out that the era when government depends of federation account is over.

    Traditional ruler of Ovukwu Abam, Eze Oji Ojembe expressed dissatisfaction with the operations of the investor, Imoniyame, saying the investor has not lived up to expectation since it took over the management of the rubber estates.

     

  • Abia to demolish kidnappers’ houses

    Abia to demolish kidnappers’ houses

    To curb kidnapping in Abia State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has pledged to pull down any house, premises or facility harbouring criminals, particularly kidnappers.

    The governor also said it is incumbent upon every member of the public to give out information on any shady character living in their midst, stressing that security must be everybody’s business.

    Ikpeazu said the spate of kidnappings in the Aba area is unacceptable to the government and that he is ready to take every drastic measure to stem the tide.

    He frowned at the resurgence of this crime in the state, declaring that it has been a big embarrassment to the government and people of the state.

    He disclosed that the government will soon deploy patrol vehicles for a 24-hour surveillance in some designated areas and called on the public to be suspicious of any secret movement and be free to report same to the security agencies without any hesitation.

    He urged the military to intensify on their patrol and surveillance, promising that the state will give the necessary incentive towards the operation.

    The Governor also called for joint operation and cooperation among all the security agencies and paramilitary especially in the area of intelligence gathering, adding that the war against kidnapping demand a coordinated synergy by all the units of our law enforcement agencies.

    The Governor therefore warned to the criminals terrorizing the state and their collaborators to leave the state as the place will become too hot and unbearable for them

     

  • ‘Review tricycle ban in Abia’

    ‘Review tricycle ban in Abia’

    Commuters and commercial tricycle operators in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, have urged the state government to review the restriction of commercial tricycle operation in parts of the state.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state government, Mr. Godwin Adindu said, inter alia, “Following the resurgence of sundry crimes in the two metropolises of Aba and Umuahia, the governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has reinforced the ban on the operation of Okada riders within the metropolis of Aba and Umuahia. All Keke operators should limit their operations to 7pm daily till further notice…The governor also warns all criminals in the state to run away from the state or face extermination.”

    Some commercial tricycle operators described the ban as a welcome development since it is geared towards checking crime, but added that it was negatively affecting their businesses. Commuters equally complained about difficulty in movement since the enforcement of the ban.

    The tricycle operators said, “We welcome the decision of the state government to tackle insecurity in the state. But we wonder why they should moved it from the 9pm it was before to 7pm. For us it is too early and on the allegation that most of the crimes committed by kidnappers and armed robbers were done using Keke, we want to say that in a twelve, there must be a Judas. But don’t they use cars to commit crimes? We have heard of “one chance” where some people pretending to be commercial bus drivers use their cars to dupe unsuspecting members of the public. Most of us, like most commercial bus drivers, load in one loading bay or the other. Nobody will use his keke registered with ASATOA or government recognised union for any illegal business. I am not saying that we (tricycle operators) are saints, but the basic thing is that the state government should properly equip the police and other security agencies in the state like Lagos recently did. Police on their own should build on intelligence gathering like their counterpart and also should learn to protect their source.

    “I live around Obohia, I must tell you that the level of crime around my area is very high and the response time or police and other security agencies whenever we are under attack is very slow. If you call police that robbers are in our area, they will either come and arrest innocent people or shoot into the air when the robbers must have completed their assignment.”

    A commuter who identified herself as Chinwe said she had to sleep in a hotel after a trip from Abuja before she could get to her residence the next day, as according to her, the road to her place is impassable except with a tricycle.

    She however, called on the state government to adopt a more proactive measures in combating crimes in the state and to see how they can partner with the police to make logistics available to the security agencies, stressing that the 7pm ban on the operations of commercial tricycle operators will do little to tackle insecurity in the state, but would cause more hardship on the people.

    “Life in Lagos is 24 hours. Go to Owerri, Akwa Ibom, Awka, Enugu State to mention but a few, you will agree with me that the state government has done enough to improve security situation in these towns. Why can’t such a thing be replicated in our state? We are talking a time when states are doing everything possible to encourage night life; a time for people to relax with friends including investors who may have spent more time during the daytime in one business meeting or the other. I am just coming back from Abuja after visiting Onitsha, Awka, amongst other cities, but I must tell you that business operators make more money at night than in the day time because government has it so. ASba is a commercial city that is being visited by people from other African countries and other parts of the world. We want to see business being on in Aba anytime of the day. People should be allowed free movement. Government should guarantee people adequate security. That is what we want and not banning of keke riders operational hours.”

    Some traders and shop owners who sell food and provisions, decrying the ban said that it is affecting their business negatively.

    A food vendor who sells noodles, fried eggs, beans and pap near Milverton said, “I and others that do the same business don’t have shops. We only sale in the night when owners of the shops we mounted canopy in front of might have gone home. That is to say that we do our business at night. Because of the ban,  we have recorded low turnout of customers. Some of our customers especially the male folk are bachelors. You know that they don’t normally cook; they from us before going home. But since the new directives came from the state government, our market has not been going well, no thanks to the state of the nation’s economy. So many of our customers now hurry to go home. Thereby negatively affecting our businesses. So, we want government of the state to look into the order and see how they can help us. If it continues, it is going to kill night life in Aba. “

    In a telephone chat with the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Government, Mr. Godwin Adindu said it was part of proactive measures by the state government decided to nip rising cases of insecurity in the bud, stressing that security reports have it that most of the crimes committed in the state were done using tricycles. Adindu who said that the ban was a “contingency option”, however stated that the state government could reverse the ban as soon as security situation in the state improves and regretted the inconveniences the ban may have caused the residents.