Amid a rising crime rate, Sunday Emejiaka, the traditional ruler of Ohazu Autonomous Community in Abia, has begged Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for protection against criminals.

Mr Emejiaka said the governor’s intervention regarding logistics support for the community’s vigilantes was imperative to safeguard the residents and their businesses.

The traditional ruler made the appeal on Tuesday. He noted that the hoodlums had almost turned his domain into a crime zone.

He stated, “Some of the hoodlums operating in Ngwa Road area live in other areas of Aba, but they come to Ngwa Road to rob and hurt people because they get money from them.

“As the people are going to markets or workplaces, the hoodlums waylay and rob them.”

The traditional ruler added that the community had set up a vigilante group, “but they are not enough, although they make it possible for the residents to go about their businesses.”

Lamenting the rising crime rate, Mr Emejiaka added, “What is most painful to me is that most of these hoodlums do not live in my domain. They come from elsewhere, rob, and then go back.

“Government can support our local vigilantes with vehicles or motorcycles. If this is done, it will help to reduce the activities of the hoodlums.”

He also appealed to the governor to recruit more men into the ‘Abia Vigilante Group’ and deploy some to his community to check crimes in the area.

Mr Emejiaka thanked Mr Ikpeazu for restoring normalcy in the state but urged him to make Ohazu safe as well.

(NAN)