Kidnappers Shut Down Nnewi

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Residents and indigenes of Nnewi, Anambra State, South East Nigeria today rose from a special meeting to send a save-our-souls message to President Goodluck Jonathan on the menace of kidnappers who have shut down the commercial town.

 

They appealed to the president come to their rescue as the rampant cases of kidnapping and armed robbery have brought to a halt economic activities in Nnewi a town noted for bubbling business activities.

 

The letter was signed by the President-General Nnewi Town Union, Agu-Onyeka Charles; the Chairman, Nnewi branch of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Achunam Nwabueze; the Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Nnewi branch, Ogo Okeke and the President Nnewi Traders Association, Gozie Akudolu.

 

They said soldiers and anti-terrorist squads of the police and the anti-kidnap arm of the police be established in Anambra State and Nnewi in particular while the State Security Service, SSS and other security agents be tasked on intelligence gathering and monitoring in and around Nnewi.

 

The meeting also demanded that the people presently being held hostage by kidnappers should be rescued by soldiers.

 

According to the residents, an average of 15 to 20 people are kidnapped weekly while 15 died in kidnappers’ custody within a year, thus forcing companies to close shops in Nnewi and relocate to more business friendly locations.

 

When the stakeholders rose from today’s meeting, they left Nnewi for Onitsha to commiserate with the Commander, 203 Artillery Brigade who lost two of his soldiers to kidnappers’ bullets last week.

 

Today, all markets, hospitals, shops, banks and other commercial centres were closed down in Nnewi to convince the president that the security situation in the town deserved his urgent attention.

 

Stakeholders at the meeting therefore despatched their SOS letter to President Jonathan demanding a four-pronged approach to eradicating the kidnap saga in the area.

 

Most residents now stay indoors to avoid being kidnapped or attacked by armed robbers who are having a field day.

 

Security agencies appear to be helpless while the gangsters are on the rampage.

 

— Chika Chiedozie/Awka

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