Soldiers of the Nigerian Army serving in Aba, Abia State have lamented the nonpayment of their monthly allowances and lack of new patrol vehicles to help in combating crime in the city.
The soldiers further lamented that dilapidated roads, particularly at the Ngwa, Ohanku, Omuma and Obohia, have made it impossible for them to tackle criminals in those areas.
They added that the situation had seriously affected their operations to fight kidnapping and other violent crimes which are once again threatening to bring the city to its knees.
247ureports.com observed that most operational vehicles used by soldiers are dilapidated and are not serviceable while soldiers are being owed several months of allowances by the state government.
A soldier serving in one of the military formations in the city who spoke on the condition of anonymity told our correspondent that the state government under Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu has continued to toy with the welfare of soldiers.
He said: “We don’t have patrol vehicles, our allowances are not paid. No incentive to boost soldiers’ morale. When the state government procures vehicles, they only donate them to the Police. Look at the state of kidnapping in Aba, we have been trying our best, but there is no motivation and vehicles. No good road; look at Ngwa and Ohanku roads, no vehicle can pass the areas unless we use boats which we were not trained for. So, what do you think soldiers can do in this type of situation? Unless something is done, Aba is in trouble because soldiers can’t kill themselves. We cant fight kidnappers with bare hands.”
247ureports.com gathered that lack of operational vehicles for soldiers may have accounted for the increasing incidents of kidnapping in the city as hoodlums now operate openly with the Police only providing a feeble challenge. Some of the kidnappers are reported to have severally escaped through routes close to military checkpoints in the city.
A source hinted that on several occasions, a member of the House of Representatives , representing one of the federal constituencies in the state, had continued to support soldiers serving in the city by repairing their vehicles.
Our correspondent who went round the city observed that there are military checkpoints at Brass junction, Arungwa junction, Faulks road, Opobo road, Obikabia junction, Aba-Ikot Ekpene highway, Aba main motor park, comprising not less than 100 soldiers, yet hoodlums successfully kidnap and escape with their victims.
In the last two months, kidnappers had abducted not less 10 persons at several locations in Aba without confrontation from the security agents. A car dealer was kidnapped at Tenant road and when the Police attempted to block their escape routes, two police officers were sent to the great beyond.
Said a resident, Ogbonnaya Nweke, “At Ngwa, Ohanku or Obohia roads, criminals now operate for hours without challenge from any security agencies. Residents are always at the mercy of armed robbers and kidnappers because even if you alert soldiers and policemen, there is no road for them to get to the scene. We want Okezie Ikpeazu to give attention to Obohia, Ohanku and Ngwa roads to help improve security in the area.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade , Ohafia, Brigadier General Lawrence Fejokwu, proved futile as his mobile number was unavailable as at the time of filing this report.
