Abia State House of Assembly Demands Strict Security as Bandit Attacks Escalate in Umuahia South

 

​The Abia State House of Assembly has officially sounded the alarm over the deteriorating security situation in Umuahia South Local Government Area, urging the state government to implement "stiff and radical" security measures immediately. During a plenary session on February 20, 2026, lawmakers expressed deep concern following a series of daring attacks and kidnappings by suspected bandits that have left residents in a state of perpetual fear. This legislative intervention comes at a critical time when the peace of the state capital’s outskirts is being threatened by criminal elements operating with increasing impunity.

​The motion was brought forward by Hon. Emeka Jacob-Obioma, the member representing Umuahia South, as a "Matter of Urgent Public Importance." The lawmaker revealed a chilling account of how bandits recently invaded the Avodim Ubakala and Amakama communities, successfully kidnapping members of two different families within a single week.

​Banditry in Umuahia South: The Modus Operandi

​According to the reports presented to the House, the perpetrators of these crimes have adopted a deceptive strategy to infiltrate the communities. Hon. Jacob-Obioma stated that the attackers are suspected to be Fulani herdsmen who have rebranded themselves as commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders). By blending into the local transportation network, these individuals are able to conduct surveillance on targets and move through the communities without raising immediate suspicion.

​"The situation has become so dangerous that I even fear for my own life," Jacob-Obioma confessed, highlighting the vulnerability of both ordinary citizens and public officials in the face of these sophisticated criminal networks. While the kidnapped victims were eventually rescued through the combined efforts of a local vigilante group and the Nigeria Police, the psychological toll on the community remains immense.

​Legislative Resolutions: A Ban on Motorcycles and Bolstered Vigilance

​In response to the alarming report, the Abia State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa, passed a series of resolutions aimed at crushing the insurgency in its tracks. The primary recommendations include:

1. ​Restrictive Ban on Motorcycles: The House has proffered an immediate ban on commercial motorcyclists within the Umuahia South constituency to eliminate the primary "cover" used by the bandits.
2. ​Institutionalized Action: Lawmakers called for the government to move beyond reactive measures and institutionalize a "radical approach" to security that includes proactive intelligence gathering.
3. ​State-Wide Searchlight: Speaker Emeruwa emphasized that the security threat is not isolated to Umuahia South. He directed that the security searchlight be beamed across all 17 LGAs in Abia State to prevent the bandits from relocating to other unsuspecting constituencies.
4. ​Consolidation of Apparatus: Security agencies, including the Police and the Civil Defence (NSCDC), have been urged to consolidate their resources and increase patrols in rural border communities.

​Governor Alex Otti’s Stance on Security in 2026

​This legislative push aligns with the ongoing efforts of Governor Alex Otti’s administration to transform Abia into the safest state in Nigeria. The Governor has consistently maintained a "zero-tolerance" policy toward kidnapping and banditry. During the recent Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations, Otti reassured Abians that security remains his administration's top priority, funded by a robust 2026 budget specifically designed to rejig the state’s security architecture.

​The introduction of the elite task force, Operation Crush, has already seen successes in other parts of the state, such as Umunneochi. However, the latest attacks in Umuahia South suggest that the "bandits" are testing the resilience of the state’s security fringes, necessitating the "stiff measures" demanded by the House of Assembly.

​The Role of Local Vigilantes: The First Line of Defense

​The successful rescue of the kidnapped families in Ubakala and Amakama was made possible largely due to the bravery of the local vigilante groups. Lawmakers praised these community-led security outfits but noted that they require more government support, equipment, and formal coordination with the Nigeria Police to be truly effective against heavily armed bandits.

​The House resolved that the matter would be committed to the "right quarters" for immediate execution, signaling that the executive arm of government is expected to deploy additional manpower to Umuahia South within the coming days.