Ihiala stakeholders thank Soludo for return of peace, blame PG for activities of gunmen

Stakeholders of Ihiala in Anambra State on Sunday thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for restoring security to the community by using operatives of Agunechemba to fight gunmen operating in the area.

The stakeholders also regretted that over N100 million donated by indigenes of the community in the Diaspora to tackle insecurity has remained unaccounted for by the President General of Ihiala Progressive Union, Barr. Okey Ohagba.

The stakeholders who were led to Awka for a press conference by the traditional ruler of Ihiala community, Igwe Sir Thomas Obidiegwu, Oluoha the 17th, thanked Soludo for his efforts in the area of security.

Ihiala, a border town with boundaries with Imo State has for years been noted as a hotbed for insecurity, with camps harbouring gunmen domiciled in the community. But the stakeholders said peace has recently returned to the community.

At a press conference in Awka, the stakeholders said all efforts to rid the area of gunmen has not yielded fruit until the launch of Operation Udo Ga Achi by Governor Soludo, and the unveiling of a new security outfit, Agunechemba.

Jude Chimezie Ngobili, member representing Ihiala 1 state constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, who addressed journalists, said: “Insecurity has been very prevalent in my community. We once agreed to hold a meeting to tackle it, but President General of Ihiala Progressive Union, Barr. Okey Ohagba rejected it, that only he can call a meeting of that nature.

“We insisted, met and agreed that a committee be set up to enforce security in Ihiala as people were being killed on a daily basis. We agreed that village heads should ensure that they erect security gates and curtail influx of gunmen in the town, but the PG said it won't be enforced. We're happy the governor has come to our aide at last, and has done so much on security.”

Another stakeholder, chairman of Anambra Local Government Service Commission, Barr. Vincent Ezeaka said: “We are here because we want to thank the governor for liberating us, and to say no to the way the President General is handling Ihiala security.”

Some of the stakeholders said for the first time since 2022, they have been able to travel to their community safely, without fear of being harassed by non state actors who pose as separatists to kidnap and kill people.

They lamented that over N100 million donated for security in the community was mismanaged by the president general.

When DAILY POST reached out to the President General, Barr Okey Ohagba, he dismissed those who addressed the press conference as a small segment of the community who have been aligning with separatist elements to cause insecurity in Ihiala.

He said: “I want you to quote me, those people who spoke in Awka are the ones causing insecurity in Ihiala, including the government officials among them. When I have time, I will call you and furnish you with documents to buttress my claims.”