From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
Orogwe community in Umunwaoha, Owerri-West Local Government Area had its own fair share in those days when kidnappers unleashed terror in Imo State.
The serene community, which is a gateway to the Owerri capital as it is situated seven kilometers away from the capital city, had three of its sons kidnapped then along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway. In fact, one died in the process.
The action threw the people into panic, as they were confused as to why kidnappers should make their community a target since their sons and daughters are mainly civil and public servants, and not moneybags.
But they later discovered that their sons that fell victims were not actually targeted by the kidnappers who only attacked them because they saw them along the expressway.
However, the incident and other pockets of minor crimes in the community had continued to give the people great concerns.
Thus they cried out to the state government as well as raised local vigilance group to check the reccurrence of the ugly incident.
This was what they had until last week when the Orogwe Integrity Forum (OIF), which gave a notch to the security efforts in the community.
The OIF comprising progressive minds in the community through the instrumentality of one of its members, Sir Goddy Ahuakagha bought a security van, which was presented to the Imo Community Watch last week at an elaborate ceremony organised by the Coordinator, State Development Council (SDC) and Mini-Governor for Irete/Orogwe Ward 10, Dr. (Mrs) Liz Ejiogu, who doubles as chairman, Imo State Universal Education Board (IMSUBEB).
On the appointed day for the vehicle handover to the Imo Community Watch (ICW) set up by Governor Rochas Okorocha to strengthen security in the state, particularly in the rural areas, as soon as the Commandant-General of Imo Community Watch (ICW), Pastor Frank Onwumere, and his entourage arrived at the residence of Dr Ejiogu venue for the ceremony, his men fired several gunshots in the air in salute and appreciation of what the OIF had done – encouraging security.
The happy commandant-general thanked the OIF and its benefactors for taking rare steps to help beef up security in their area and state in general.
“I was happy when the SDC coordinator, Dr Liz Ejiogu called to inform me that an indigene of Orogwe has bought a patrol vehicle for the Imo Community Watch and I said that I must come in person to unveil it because I am very happy.
“You know in most cases people buy vehicles and donate to the police and this one is a very rare case where an indigene bought a vehicle and donated it to the Imo Community Watch.
“It was at that moment that I decided that he deserves an award for what he has done for recognizing that security is indeed everybody’s business and he is the first person that we have given this award as the Patron of ICW. I will also inform the state governor what Sir Goddy Ahuakagha has done. So, we are here to honour him today and we are going to advertise it to others across the state for others to emulate this good gesture,” Onwumere said.
Dr. Ejiogu commended OIF and Ahuakagha for providing not only a patrol vehicle but also provided security point where they could have their meetings.
She also thanked Governor Okorocha for floating IWC to augment the efforts of the police in securing lives and property of people in the rural areas.
She noted that urbanisation has hit the Orogwe area and thus the need to raise the security bar.
She also thanked the commandant-general for finding time to personally receive the van, and urged him to utilise it effectively to combat crime in the area.
Ahuakagha said OIF was motivated to donate to the security outfit primarily to assist it in its duties of securing the people.
He also thanked the commandant-general of ICW for the award given to him.
“I want to dedicate the award to members of the Orogwe Integrity Forum as the main people behind the donation through the inspiration of our mentor, Dr. Jojo Onwukwe. We will keep trying our best for the community to make it better security-wise because without security of lives and property there will be no meaningful development.
“I thank the Commandant-General of the Imo Community Watch for coming personally to unveil the patrol vehicle and security post and especially for the award bestowed on me. I want to appeal to him to urgently increase the current number of the personnel of the security outfit from 14 to 50 and we are ready to provide them with the necessary logistics to enable them perform effectively,” Ahuakagha said.
Onwukwe, medical director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, said security is the business of everybody and not only that of the state government, adding that OIF would continue to partner with the state government to ensure that the people of the community are secured.
“I want to assure the Commandant-General of Imo Community Watch that this is just the beginning of the partnership between the state security outfits in the state. We want to assure you that we will make another patrol vehicle available to the Imo Community Watch before the next one year to further enhance their operations in this community.
“Our community is rapidly urbanising and without adequate security it will be very difficult for anybody to set up any meaningful business venture in the community giving its close proximity to Owerri, the Imo State capital. So the Orogwe Integrity Forum has been at the forefront to ensure that the community is secured for both residents, businessmen and all,” Onwukwe said.
Chairman of OIF, Mr. Benjamin Ihenacho, said his group decided to help improve the abilities of the security agencies guarding the community as urbanisation of the area must come with some challenges security-wise.
Prominent members of the community, the Chief Security Officer of the Umunwaoha Autonomous Community, Eze Emma Ejiogu, who was represented by his secretary, Ken Charles, members of his cabinet, local government officials, among others attended the occasion.