Residents of Control Post, Owerri, want Imo State Government to save them from the activities of robbers, prostitutes and other forms of pick pocketers that have now infested the area.  There has been an upsurge in harassment from large number hoodlums since the demolition of Ukwuakpu along Assumpta Avenue, which forced the nocturnal men to relocate to Onitsha Road.

Some of the residents of the area who took their grievances to THE Leader Newspaper on Thursday, Nov. 14, said they now live in fear because the presence of fierce looking men and ladies.  One of the residents who owns a shop along Onitsha Road narrated how these robbers broke into her shop and snatched away her generator set. Her case became compounded she said, when she complained to one of the regular prostitutes. The prostitute agreed to help her retrieve her generator from her gang and demanded the sum of five thousand Naira from her.  In her quest to have back her property, she paid the money. She said after a few days of fruitless waiting, she saw the prostitute and reminded her of their deal.  The response she received was that the group which was in custody of the generator was a stubborn one and needed more money.  The victim had to release another cash of one thousand Naira.

At the time of this report, she had not got her generator back or seen the prostitute again.

When THE LEADER visited the Control Post, it was discovered that many residents and traders in the area have had similar experiences.  While some have had their money snatched from their pockets, others described how their shops have been burgled while others narrated stories of intimidation in the area from prostitutes and these brigands.

In a chat with the Community Government (CGC) Youth Leader, New Owerri II, Mr. Chimezie Ibe, he expressed regrets at the growing activities of hoodlums at the Control Post.  Mr. Ibe categorized these hoodlums into: prostitutes, robbers, touts, Indian hemp smokers and some resident-criminals.  He attributed the menace to the presence of illegal Motor Parks, which have attracted and also groomed most evils right in front of Assumpta Cathedral.

He noted that the demolished Ukwuakpu also led to the displacement of some of the robbers and prostitutes who relocated to the uncompleted shops and stalls under construction behind the NNPC Mega Station along Onitsha Road.  The Youth Leader said the place now harbours different sorts of criminals who come in from Anambra, Abia, Rivers and other neighbouring states to do their flourishing illegal business.

In a further investigation, THE LEADER reporter spotted the presence of one popular brothel in the area known as “Timaya” as a major boost to the presence of these criminals around the Control Post.  Most of the prostitutes, THE LEADER gathered are provided accommodation in the lodge from where they operate.  Our reporter gathered from authoritative sources that these prostitutes partner with the operators of Timaya who use them to patronize their customers.  While Timaya provides the official lodge for some, others rent houses inside Kalu Nwankwo and Akajiaku Estates whereas others hibernate in the uncompleted structures behind the Mega Filling Station.

When THE LEADER visited the police on the issue, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Joy Elemoko, admitted awareness of the situation at the Control Post.  Asked why such illegality and lawlessness continue to flourish in the presence of law enforcement officers – police and army stationed in the area, she noted that the police cannot do it alone.  She remarked that the situation has been like that for long but seems to be getting worse now that Christmas is approaching.  The PPRO expressed regrets that the situation at the control post is a huge challenge which the police are finding difficult to deal with.

According to her, “We are powerless – if we go there and raid the place – as we did before, their brothers will come here to complain and bail them out.  The last time we raided the place, calls were coming from Abuja and everywhere asking for those arrested to be released”.  She went further to say, “Unfortunately, some of the prostitutes are being patronized by dignitaries who have a lot of power.  Even the baby factory we raided has put us under a lot of pressure”.  The police spokeswoman refused to attribute the menace to the issue of unemployment as she maintained, “There are bankers and working class people who are still armed robbers.  Some people are prostitutes, whether they have job or not”.  She however reiterated the resolve of the police to fight corruption as she promised that they will continue to draw the attention of those responsible to that alarming condition at the Control Post Owerri.

It should be recalled that the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha had earlier acknowledged the presence of prostitutes at the Control Post.  Governor Okorocha had stated at the time he was repealing the outrageous abortion bill that he was distressed by the presence of prostitutes in front of the Assumpta Cathedral. The Governor said it shocks his imagination that young ladies could be prostituting boldly right in front of an imposing sacred structure like Assumpta Cathedral.

Analysts say the government seems not to be bothered about the situation in the area since it has refused to ban all the motor parks at the control post.

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