30 bodies of suspected victims found in Abia

DDM News

Over 30 unidentified bodies of suspected victims have been discovered along the Imo River in Oriendu autonomous community, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State since last year.

Abia State, located in southeastern Nigeria, was created in 1991 from part of Imo State.

It has Umuahia as its capital and Aba as its commercial hub.

Known for its vibrant trade, agriculture, and manufacturing industries, Abia is home to the Igbo people and rich in cultural heritage.

The state thrives in education, commerce, and entrepreneurship.

The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Philip Ajomiwe, disclosed this during an interview with Diaspora digital media (DDM) at his palace following the recent discovery of a woman’s body.

“The bodies, like the recent one, are either completely naked and missing their private parts or found inside a bag. There have also been cases where two decomposing bodies were discovered near the NNPC pipeline,” he stated.

He expressed concern that the situation had worsened and created fear in and around the community, noting that security agencies had yet to make any arrests despite multiple incidents.

According to the monarch, efforts by the community’s vigilante group to apprehend the suspects have been unsuccessful because they lack the necessary weapons and equipment to confront the perpetrators.

“We are appealing to the state government to provide our vigilante group with the necessary logistics and resources to effectively tackle this issue,” he said.

He emphasized that criminals engaging in such activities are usually well-armed, making it difficult for local security groups to challenge them without adequate support.

The monarch revealed that his repeated complaints to the authorities had not yielded any tangible results. His latest appeal was in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly on February 7.

While appreciating the government’s decision to increase the monthly stipends of traditional rulers, he pointed out that the amount remains insufficient to address security challenges in their communities.

He explained that monarchs, unlike the governor, do not receive security votes to equip their local vigilante groups, making government intervention crucial for ensuring peace and security.

Ajomiwe urged the authorities to take swift action to prevent further loss of lives, emphasizing that the safety of residents and visitors must be a top priority.

Some community members who spoke to DDM news expressed fears that the killings might be linked to ritual activities, given the condition in which the victims’ bodies were found.

One of the residents, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, stated that the frequency of these discoveries had instilled fear among locals, forcing many to avoid certain areas near the river.

“We used to fish and fetch water from the river, but now we are scared because we don’t know who will be next,” he said.

Another resident, Mrs. Ngozi Eze, called on security agencies to intensify surveillance in the area to track down the criminals responsible for the heinous acts.

“Each time a body is found, we report it to the police, but nothing seems to be done. This situation is becoming unbearable,” she lamented.

A local hunter, who preferred to remain anonymous, recounted how he once stumbled upon a group of strange individuals near the river at night, but he was too afraid to confront them.

He claimed that some suspicious movements around the river suggested that the killers might have a hideout nearby, where they commit these atrocities before dumping the victims’ bodies.

In response to the rising concerns, some civil society organizations in the state have called on the government and security agencies to treat the issue as a matter of urgency.

A human rights activist, Barrister Chinedu Obasi, stressed that the state government must collaborate with traditional institutions and local security groups to tackle the menace effectively.

“The loss of over 30 victims is alarming, and we cannot continue to ignore it. The government must act now before it escalates further,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the Abia State Police Command has assured the public that it is investigating the cases and will make efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A police spokesperson stated that officers had been deployed to conduct regular patrols around the affected area and urged residents to report any suspicious activities promptly.

Residents, however, insist that more proactive measures must be taken to put an end to the mysterious killings and restore peace to the community.

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