Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Chairman of Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Hon. Aka Eze-Aka, has vowed to do everything within his powers to safeguard lives and property across all communities in the council.
Eze-Aka made the pledge after an expanded strategic security meeting held at the council headquarters in Obollo Afor.
In a decisive move to strengthen community-driven intelligence, the chairman announced a ₦5 million bounty for any individual who provides credible information that leads to the arrest of those behind recent kidnappings and related crimes in the area.
“To reclaim our peace and secure our people, every responsible citizen must be involved,” he said.
“No criminal has a stake in Udenu; we are determined to flush them out completely.”
He explained that the meeting was convened following a spike in security threats, including cases of kidnapping in some communities such as Ezimo, Umuosigide, Amalla and Ogwu.
The expanded meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Itobore Gregory, who represented the Enugu State Commissioner of Police; the Chief Security Officer to the Governor; the Area Commander of Udenu Area Command, Orba; the Divisional Police Officer, Obollo Afor; and Presidents-General of select town unions in the LGA.
During the meeting, the representative of the Commissioner of Police delivered a stern warning to criminal elements, urging them to steer clear of Udenu LGA and Enugu State or face the full weight of the law. He assured residents that the state Police Command remained fully committed and mobilised to restore peace in all affected communities.
A dedicated hotline — 08076045030 — was released for residents to report actionable security intelligence directly to operatives.
Following the meeting, the chairman announced a strategic reshuffle within his security advisory structure to enhance operational efficiency. The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Chairman on Security, Hon. Hillary Egbeigwe, has been reassigned as SSA on Transport, while Mr. Godwin Chukwuma Ogbuagu has been appointed as the new SSA on Security.
Sources at the meeting said existing security strategies were reviewed, while fresh approaches were mapped out to strengthen surveillance, boost inter-community collaboration and improve rapid response to threats.
Eze-Aka urged residents of Udenu to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with security agencies as government intensifies efforts to eliminate insecurity in the area.
It would be recalled that in the past week, suspected herders have gone on a rampage, shooting and abducting several persons across various communities in the LGA.
