By Ugochukwu Alaribe

ABA– Residents of  communities living at  Ohanku road  and environs,  in  Aba, Abia State, have sent a save our soul message to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu over what they described as incessant robbery attacks in the area.

The residents lamented that the dilapidated state of roads in the area had made it difficult for security agencies to arrest the situation as robbers operate unchallenged. They urged the state government to commence rehabilitation of Ohanku road to boost security in the area.

A section of dilpdated Ohanku road in Amaocha

South East Voice gathered that on several occasions, a cult group identified as ‘Aro Boys’ in the area had blocked the Ohanku    and College roads and    Iheorji Avenue, dispossessing motorists and pedestrians of cash and handsets in broad day light.

A landlord, who gave his name as Mr. Godwin, added that some residents have started relocating out of the area and appealed to the state government to protect lives and property.

A cross section of residents of Ohanku area who spoke to  South East Voice  said, “Recently, the rate of armed robbery attacks at Ohanku road, particularly Amaocha and the Umuogele areas is alarming.   Nobody sleeps with two eyes closed again. Armed robbers rob residents and go home freely without being confronted by the Police. Sometimes, they operate from 1am to 4pm.

Even if the Police are coming to arrest the robbers, there is no road to access Ohanku area.   So, this had given the robbers the opportunity to operate without the fear of being arrested.  Another problem is the issue of Aro Cult Boys who sometimes block the road collecting money and handsets from residents.

“We are appealing to the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to come to their rescue by rehabilitating the Ohanku road and adjoining roads and streets to  enable security agents access the area and  save us from incessant  attacks by hoodlums.”

It was further  gathered that a suspected robber was  recently  arrested and set ablaze by a mob at Amaocha, Ohanku road.

The suspected robber and his gang had attempted to rob some residents of the area, but were resisted. Residents held firmly to the suspect as he gang escaped.

After beating the suspect, the residents who lamented the incessant robbery attacks in the area later set him ablaze with used tyres. When his attention was drawn to the complaints of the residents, Abia State Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, promised to deploy more policemen to the area, and urged residents to report suspected movements to the Police.