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Obinna Egu, the representative for Ngor-Okpala State Constituency in the Imo House of Assembly, has called on youths from the communities near Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport to hold off on a protest in response to the brutal murder of a pregnant woman at the airport.
Egu appealed for restraint, assuring residents that he would work alongside security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The lawmaker stepped in after the Onyeaghalanwanneya Youths Movement (OYM), a coalition representing the airport’s host communities, announced plans to obstruct airport activities on the runway. The protest was organized to pressure the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which OYM alleges has neglected its responsibility to address security lapses after the killing of a pregnant woman on airport premises.
It was gathered that the pregnant woman from Awogwu village of Logara Community in Ngor-Okpala LGA, Mrs Chinwendu Amadi, was reportedly raped and killed inside the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA), Owerri by unidentified hoodlums.
The horrific event cast a shadow over the community, sparking grief and frustration as residents pointed fingers at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for failing to secure the airport grounds. Community leaders claim that FAAN’s managing director disregarded their shortlist of local night guards, leaving the premises vulnerable to such incidents.
Angered by the security lapses, the community’s youth have warned of impending protests, including plans to interrupt airport flight operations if no improvements are made. This response underscores their growing impatience with what they see as unfulfilled promises of protection.
However, worried by the tension created by the development, Egu summoned the meeting of the stakeholders of the airport host community at the country home of the Government Liaison Officer (GLO) and president, Onyeaghanwanneya Youth Movement (OYM), Comrade Chukwuma Anuforo, at Umuezue Umuopara Obiangwu, where he told them that the matter was already before the State House of assembly and the State Government for urgent action.
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He urged the community members, particularly youths of the town to shelve the planned protest as according to him, plans were on top gear for an amicable resolution of the matter.
The lawmaker urged them to document their grievances in the form of a petition and submit them to appropriate authorities as he would follow up the letters to ensure a quick response.
Responding to the lawmaker’s appeal, the stakeholders during their security meeting listed their grievances in a letter addressed to the managing director, FAAN, through the airport manager, and demanded among other things, immediate construction of a perimeter fence around the airport environment for the protection of the airport personnel and facilities to stop intruders from having unauthorized access to the airport premises.
They also demanded an immediate regularization and conversion of thirty local vigilantes engaged during the insecurity period as night guards by FAAN management to protect the airport runway including NAMA and NIMET facilities.
