Flood, dilapidated roads cause kidnapping, armed robbery in Ogidi community- Residents

Flood, dilapidated roads cause kidnapping, armed robbery in Ogidi community- Residents

..,…. Beg Soludo to rescue Community from Vinas Road Nightmare

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

Residents of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have cried out to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo over the deplorable condition of Vinas Road and the devastating flooding allegedly linked to recurring deaths, kidnapping and armed robbery in the area. 

The residents, under the aegis of the Okeluche Landlord Association, Ogidi, said the situation has become unbearable and urgently requires government intervention to save lives and property.

Speaking with journalists while taking them round some of the affected areas, t

The chairman of the association, Nzekwesili Michael, made this known while speaking with newsmen during the inspection of some bad spots and identified Vinas Road, 

which links the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and areas around the Building Materials International Market, Synthetic Material Market, Boropit, Ogbe Etiti, Keluche and 3-3 Onitsha, as one of the major roads requiring immediate rehabilitation.

Michael said residents are frequently trapped on the road whenever it rains because floodwaters completely submerge the route. 

According to him, the flooding has claimed several lives, including that of a member of the landlords’ association, Mr Hyginus Odike, who was allegedly swept away after hitting his head on a culvert. He said Odike’s corpse was recovered eight days later at Nkisi River, bound towards the River Niger.

The association chairman lamented that the community had continued to lose residents, including commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators as well as students, whenever heavy rainfall causes flooding. 

He appealed to Governor Soludo to come to their rescue, saying residents had spent huge sums of money buying sand, stones and cement to carry out repairs and construct drainage, only for the work to be destroyed whenever another heavy downpour occurs.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Vinas Road Committee, Mmaduakonam Daniel Mgbako, disclosed that residents had spent more than N25 million on attempts to address the road and flooding problems. 

He recalled a tragic incident in which a resident returning from the market was swept away by floodwaters, while children returning from school and their mothers who attempted to rescue them were also allegedly caught up in the disaster. 

He said schools in the area were submerged during the incident and that the community continues to experience similar flooding whenever it rains.

Mgbako further alleged that the poor state of the road had created an environment conducive to criminal activities, particularly kidnapping and motorcycle theft. 

He claimed that several residents had been abducted in the area, especially during rainy periods, with ransom demands allegedly running into millions of naira. 

He also alleged that a man who recently attempted to drop someone off in the area was abducted, while several motorcycles belonging to commercial operators had been snatched.

According to him, residents have taken steps to improve security by installing streetlights and engaging monitors, but the measures have not completely stopped the attacks. 

He alleged that a young man recently settled in the area by his employer was kidnapped and that N11 million was reportedly paid as ransom. 

Mgbako added that the security situation had become so disturbing that some residents were reluctant to return home, with some allegedly choosing to lodge in hotels.

The Public Relations Officer of the landlords’ association and Chief Security Officer of the community, Apeh Chukwunonso, said residents were exhausted from repeatedly contributing money towards repairs on the road. 

He maintained that the worsening condition of Vinas Road was contributing to the community’s security and environmental challenges, stressing that the situation had gone beyond what residents could handle through self-help.

A tenant in the community, Gift Ifeme, also expressed frustration over the situation, saying some residents were already considering moving out because of the persistent flooding and insecurity. 

The residents appealed to Governor Soludo and relevant government agencies to urgently rehabilitate Vinas Road, construct effective drainage infrastructure and strengthen security around the community. 

They stressed that despite their repeated efforts and financial contributions, the magnitude of the problem had overwhelmed them. 

They said government intervention was now critical to prevent further loss of lives and restore economic and social activities in the area.

..,…. Beg Soludo to rescue Community from Vinas Road Nightmare

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

Residents of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State have cried out to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo over the deplorable condition of Vinas Road and the devastating flooding allegedly linked to recurring deaths, kidnapping and armed robbery in the area. 

The residents, under the aegis of the Okeluche Landlord Association, Ogidi, said the situation has become unbearable and urgently requires government intervention to save lives and property.

Speaking with journalists while taking them round some of the affected areas, t

The chairman of the association, Nzekwesili Michael, made this known while speaking with newsmen during the inspection of some bad spots and identified Vinas Road, 

which links the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and areas around the Building Materials International Market, Synthetic Material Market, Boropit, Ogbe Etiti, Keluche and 3-3 Onitsha, as one of the major roads requiring immediate rehabilitation.

Michael said residents are frequently trapped on the road whenever it rains because floodwaters completely submerge the route. 

According to him, the flooding has claimed several lives, including that of a member of the landlords’ association, Mr Hyginus Odike, who was allegedly swept away after hitting his head on a culvert. He said Odike’s corpse was recovered eight days later at Nkisi River, bound towards the River Niger.

The association chairman lamented that the community had continued to lose residents, including commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators as well as students, whenever heavy rainfall causes flooding. 

He appealed to Governor Soludo to come to their rescue, saying residents had spent huge sums of money buying sand, stones and cement to carry out repairs and construct drainage, only for the work to be destroyed whenever another heavy downpour occurs.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Vinas Road Committee, Mmaduakonam Daniel Mgbako, disclosed that residents had spent more than N25 million on attempts to address the road and flooding problems. 

He recalled a tragic incident in which a resident returning from the market was swept away by floodwaters, while children returning from school and their mothers who attempted to rescue them were also allegedly caught up in the disaster. 

He said schools in the area were submerged during the incident and that the community continues to experience similar flooding whenever it rains.

Mgbako further alleged that the poor state of the road had created an environment conducive to criminal activities, particularly kidnapping and motorcycle theft. 

He claimed that several residents had been abducted in the area, especially during rainy periods, with ransom demands allegedly running into millions of naira. 

He also alleged that a man who recently attempted to drop someone off in the area was abducted, while several motorcycles belonging to commercial operators had been snatched.

According to him, residents have taken steps to improve security by installing streetlights and engaging monitors, but the measures have not completely stopped the attacks. 

He alleged that a young man recently settled in the area by his employer was kidnapped and that N11 million was reportedly paid as ransom. 

Mgbako added that the security situation had become so disturbing that some residents were reluctant to return home, with some allegedly choosing to lodge in hotels.

The Public Relations Officer of the landlords’ association and Chief Security Officer of the community, Apeh Chukwunonso, said residents were exhausted from repeatedly contributing money towards repairs on the road. 

He maintained that the worsening condition of Vinas Road was contributing to the community’s security and environmental challenges, stressing that the situation had gone beyond what residents could handle through self-help.

A tenant in the community, Gift Ifeme, also expressed frustration over the situation, saying some residents were already considering moving out because of the persistent flooding and insecurity. 

The residents appealed to Governor Soludo and relevant government agencies to urgently rehabilitate Vinas Road, construct effective drainage infrastructure and strengthen security around the community. 

They stressed that despite their repeated efforts and financial contributions, the magnitude of the problem had overwhelmed them. 

They said government intervention was now critical to prevent further loss of lives and restore economic and social activities in the area.