The House of Representatives has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to establish a military formation in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State to address the high level of kidnapping and armed robbery in the Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency.
This decision was reached following a motion brought before the House by lawmaker Martins Esin, highlighting the need to enhance security in Oron and its environs.
Esin emphasized that the porous national border in the area, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and providing a gateway to the Republic of Cameroon, has facilitated criminal activities, including unabated violence by hardened criminals operating from the high sea.
Esin cited the abduction of High Court judge Justice Joy Unwana, whose driver was murdered along Uyo-Okobo Road after a court sitting on December 18, 2023, as a significant incident underscoring the security challenges in the area.
As the Chair of the House Committee on Youth Development, Esin pointed out the minimal presence of Nigerian armed security agencies, inadequate equipment, and low morale among law enforcement agents in Oron and its environs as contributing factors to the perpetuation of kidnappings, sea piracy, armed robbery, wanton killings, and economic hardship in the area.
The motion received unanimous support from all members present at the plenary.
The House also urged the Inspector General of Police and the National Security Adviser to increase surveillance and manpower in Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency to enhance security.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas mandated the Committees on Army and Police Affairs to monitor compliance with these directives.
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