*Vows to rid area of criminals

The people of Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, LGA, of Enugu State have expressed joy and confidence over the continued improvement of security in their communities and the local government area recently due to Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to provide security for them.

Stakeholders and residents of Eha-Amufu community made their feelings known when they trooped out en masse to receive Governor Mbah’s security team led by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Vincent Onyeabor, who arrived at the Ogbete, Eha-Amufu Joint Task Force (JTF) Security Camp with three helicopters.

The team was at the Camp in the company of officers of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) and the International Helicopter Flying School (IHFS), Air Force Base, Emene, Enugu, led by Air Commodore D. E. Laha, and Wing Commander, O. Adeniyi.

The security team conducts helicopter patrol of Isi-Uzo communities

The team, which also visited Aguamede community in Eha-Amufu, was received at St Paul’s Model Secondary School, Eha-Amufu, by the Chairman of Isi-Uzo LG Council, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, and other community leaders and stakeholders of Eha-Ohuala, including the Anglican Bishop of Eha-Amufu Diocese, Bishop Daniel Olinya, and the traditional ruler of Aguamede community, Igwe John Odo Anyika.

Speaking during the visit, Onyeabor noted that wrong notions had existed when helicopters sighted around were presumed to have been used by criminals to supply arms and ammunition to enemies of the communities, clarifying that such was not the case.

“This is why we have decided to come here with some of those helicopters, to reassure you that they are not enemies, but friends from the International Helicopter Flying School on routine training programme, and that you should feel happy and wave whenever you see them” he said.

He explained that besides the routine training, the security team of the state government partners with the Air Force and the Flying Schools to assist with effective surveillance of the forests and communities to ensure that criminals did not hold any inch of the state.

“So, their training programmes are just one part of the story. The other part, which is very critical is that their operations also help us to keep an eye on what is happening around these forests because in Enugu State, we have zero tolerance for any form of insecurity. 

“The governor has said it repeatedly that we have no room, forest or space for criminal elements”.

Speaking, Anglican Bishop Olinya expressed great delight at what he described as “the exceptional commitment of Governor Mbah to the security and welfare of the people of Eha-Amufu and Isi-Uzo Local Government in general.”

According to the clergy, the recent visit of Eha-Amufu stakeholders to Mbah was an eye opener to the governor’s depth of love and great plans for the people of Isi-Uzo LGA.

Appreciating the renewed confidence and people’s return to displaced farm settlements in the area, the Bishop declared that he would physically be at Ogbete on Sunday, 13th July, to resume normal Church Service after many years of desertion since 2021/2022.

He called on the community residents to attend the Service and take advantage of the existing safe atmosphere to return to their homes and resume farming, so that the good efforts of the government and security forces would not be in vain.

In his remarks, the Isi-Uzo Council Chairman Barr. Obeagu acknowledged the Governor’s efforts to strengthen security in Isi-Uzo in general and Eha-Amufu in particular since he assumed office. 

“Remember that before he assumed office, there were Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps in Isi-Uzo. 

“But in a matter of about a months or two, our people returned to their homes, following massive deployment of security personnel.

“To facilitate security access and improve agricultural production, he has completed the 21.7km Agape-Agu-Mgbuji-Ogbete asphalt Road, which leads into some of the farm settlements. 

“Currently, he has directed for the asphalt road to be extended by about 8km into Aguamede to further improve security. 

“The governor is equally working to ensure that these farm settlements have telecoms connectivity to aid effective communication and security response.

“He is also doing one 200-hectre farm estate in all the 11 political wards of Isi-Uzo. 

“These include the four political wards of Eha-Amufu. That of Mgbuji has since commenced and Abor-Isiala and Aguamade have followed suit. 

“These farms will be fenced and small holder farmers will have access to modern farm machineries, inputs, and the services of extension workers,” he stated.