The residents who lamented that the once peaceful agrarian community has been under siege, with incessant armed attacks, looting, and violence becoming all too common, decried the government and the police's lack of adequate response to criminal activities going on in the community.
Residents of Mgbala Agwa Autonomous Community in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State have lamented that they have been gripped by fear and uncertainty as bandits continue to terrorise the area for over a decade, leaving them in a state of despair.
The residents who lamented that the once peaceful agrarian community has been under siege, with incessant armed attacks, looting, and violence becoming all too common, decried the government and the police's lack of adequate response to criminal activities going on in the community.
They said that bandits, believed to be heavily armed and well-organised, have instilled a climate of fear, prompting thousands of residents to live in constant dread of the next assault.
According to them, over the years, the bandits have terrorised all the communities in Agwa, stressing that in February 2022, bandits murdered a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Christian Kpatuma, in his house in Mgbala Agwa Community.
Similarly, in August 2022, gunmen burnt two female police officers to death alongside two other male officers on duty at the Agwa Divisional Police Station.
They also went to the house of one commercial motorcyclist known as Ejike and shot him dead while his wife survived gunshot injuries.
The residents further noted that on Monday, November 14, 2022, gunmen killed the traditional ruler of Obudi Agwa community, Eze (Dr.) Ignatius Asor and two of his aides in his palace, while on August 5, 2023, bandits attacked Agwa Divisional Police headquarters, burnt down the police station and killed four police officers.
“They sacked the vigilante group and burnt the Mgbala Agwa Police Post used by the community vigilante group. Over 150 people have lost their lives in Agwa, with properties worth billions of naira destroyed.
“In the other communities that make up the Agwa clan, several lives have been lost to the bandit attacks. In Umukpo Agwa, Morgan Okaru, Ebere Okarazu and Marcellinus Idu were killed in cold blood, while several houses were either burnt or destroyed.
“In Obeama community, Fineboy Azubuike was killed by the gunmen, In Uba community of Agwa, those killed include Athanasius, Jude Afoejuonwu (burnt alive), Bourdillon Elume (burnt alive), Casmir Mgbugba (son), Kingsley Obi (son) and Mrs. Emenike, with over 50 houses either burnt or destroyed.
“In recent days, the situation has escalated, with reports of homes being ransacked by the bandits, properties stolen, and innocent civilians subjected to intimidation and violence.
“Local authorities, overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis, have struggled to contain the menace, leaving residents feeling abandoned and vulnerable.
“Even the traditional ruler and other community leaders have deserted the community. On Monday, 22 January, the bandits shot dead Stanley Ojinaka, a point of sale (POS) operator while he was attending to customers at his shop in Mgbala Agwa.
"We no longer feel safe in our own homes," Mgbala Agwa residents lamented.
Meanwhile, amid the growing concerns among residents, the Imo State government and the Nigerian Police Force have come under scrutiny for what many, especially residents of the community perceive as a delayed and inadequate response to address the escalating insecurity in the community.
Leaders and concerned citizens of the community have expressed their dismay, highlighting the need for an urgent intervention to restore security and protect their lives and property.
Some residents claimed that they have reached out to law enforcement agencies multiple times but their pleas for assistance have seemingly not been attended to with the desired attention.
The perceived slow response has sparked concerns and worries in Mgbala and Agwa in general, with residents demanding immediate action to quell the rising tide of criminal activities.
Local activists have also expressed their concerns, calling on the state and the Nigerian government and security agencies to prioritize the safety of citizens and swiftly apprehend those responsible for the insecurity in the community.
However, SaharaReporters gathered that on January 22, a dare-devil notorious bandit identified as Ojedi Ajoku popularly known as Akoro, who has been terrorising the community, was arrested by the Nigerian Army.
It was gathered that Akoro was arrested alongside one Chisom Attah and one Silas.
Akoro and his notorious gang are said to be responsible for the hundreds of killings, arson, and looting in the Mgbala Agwa community.
During interrogation, Akoro was said to have confessed that he has recruited more boys and acquired more arms to unleash further mayhem on the community.
He also confessed that his group enjoys the tacit support of security agencies in Oguta Local Government Area, and the Nigeria police, a confession that piqued the community against the Nigeria security system.
The residents of the community have expressed uncertainty that the arrested criminal may be let go to continue terrorising the communities.
The residents said that Akoro had earlier threatened the Reverend Father in charge of St. John’s Parish, Mgbala Agwa, who has been instrumental to brokering peace in the community.
The Reverend Father, according to the residents, has since fled the community, while Akoro was said to have boasted to his gang members that there is no “shaking” that he will come back very soon.
His gang members are said to have continued to terrorise the community members.
The continued criminal activities of Akoro’s gang members, following his arrest, have become a source of worry to the community that he might be released to continue his nefarious activities in Mgbala Agwa.
The residents of the ommunity therefore called for accountability and sustainable effort by the government and security agents in protecting their lives and properties.
They also called on the Imo state government to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the attacks on the community, ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, and ensure a permanent solution to the perennial insecurity in the community.