January 19, (THEWILL) – The traditional ruler of Oriendu Autonomous Community in Ubaha, Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Phillip Ajomiwe, has raised concerns over the discovery of 16 corpses dumped in the Imo River.
Ajomiwe revealed that his community shares a border with Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State. He expressed certainty that the corpses were transported and dumped in the river from neighboring communities in Imo.
The monarch provided a graphic account, stating that the bodies, individually wrapped in sacks, were found floating in the Imo River, which runs through his community into Imo State.
He further disclosed that in the same period, three other bodies were found abandoned at a location known as “5 Miles.”
According to Eze Ajomiwe, upon discovering the bodies at 5 Miles, he alerted the local government chairman, who facilitated their evacuation.
He added that the area has become a hotspot for criminal activities, including kidnappings. Recounting a recent incident, the monarch said a man kidnapped from Mbano was rescued by the community vigilante after he was alerted by a hunter.
The kidnappers, who had demanded a ransom of ₦3 million, fled the scene before the rescue operation.
Ajomiwe lamented the increasing rate of kidnappings and ritual killings around the border communities, describing the situation as alarming.
He called on the governments of Abia and Imo states to collaborate on securing the borders and ensuring the safety of residents.
The monarch revealed that efforts to engage the chairman of Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area on the matter were met with warnings due to the activities of kidnappers in the region.
He urged authorities to empower traditional rulers to take proactive measures, stating that he often spends his personal resources to mobilize and secure his community.
He attributed the rise in crime to unemployment, which he said has driven many youths into illegal activities.
He called on all levels of government to address unemployment urgently, emphasizing that providing jobs would curb criminal tendencies.
A passionate advocate for agriculture, Ajomiwe urged the Abia State government and other Southeastern governors to invest in the sector, noting that agriculture holds immense potential for job creation and food security.
“There is much money in agriculture, and it will put food on the tables of many families,” he said, adding that hunger in the land needs to be addressed.
The monarch also appealed to his fellow traditional rulers to uphold integrity when conferring chieftaincy titles, stressing that wealth alone should not qualify individuals for such honours
