Crime Upsurge Worries Youth Leader

The President, Amike-Aba Community Youth Organisation, Ebonyi Local Government Area, Mr Amaechi Egbe, has decried the recent upsurge in criminal activities in Abakaliki.
Egbe made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki and expressed worry over the development.
He called for collaboration between the police, other security outfits and youth organisations of the various communities within the Abakaliki metropolis to combat the menace.
According to him, collaboration between the police, other security stakeholders and the youth organisations, will help to fish out criminal elements, thereby reduce their activities in the area.
“There is rise in criminal activities in Abakaliki metropolis and the frequency of occurrence is unprecedented in recent times.
“The police have risen to the challenge but their efforts have not been able to achieve the desired result in terms of containing the upsurge.
“Not a single day passes without a reported case of armed robbery, burglary, car, motorcycle and tricycle snatching and heinous crimes.
“Most of the crimes happen in broad day light while others happen at nights and residents now sleep while their eyes are widely open to ensure that they remain at alert,’’ he said.
Egbe said the leadership of the youth was interfacing with the police to ensure that lives and property of residents of Amike-Aba were secured, especially as the Christmas period was approaching.
He said the youth body was reaching out to youths of other communities within the Abakaliki urban and other stakeholders for effective policing of the areas.
“Security is everybody’s business and must not be left alone in the hands of the police and other security agents.
“Every criminal comes from a home known by his people, hence the need for people to report those with questionable characters in their midst to law enforcement agents for urgent action.
“If youths are integrated into the security network, the fight against criminal activities will be effectively fought and won,’’ he said.
He said the capacity of the youths of the community would be developed and enhanced for effective crime fighting and prevention through its partnership with the police and other security agents.
“We are going to overhaul the internal security network of the community as well as build and equip them with strategies to deal with emerging trends in criminal activities.
“We will partner the police and other security agencies to ensure that the vigilante group of the community do not compromise,’’ Egbe said.