Fear grips Okigwe, Uturu residents as cult killings, robberies escalate in ABSU

 By Sampson Uhuegbu

There is a continued fear among residents in several parts Okigwe and Uturu, the host community of the Abia State University, ABSU, as cult-related killings linked to clashes among members are now on the rise.

    Daily Nigerian Telegraph Editor who went to Okigwe, on Saturday, March, 16, 2024, gathered that people of Umuezegem, Agiriga road, Umuokpara and other areas are no longer sleeping with their two eyes closed as daily and nights robberies have become order of the day.

     Although, there are students living off-the- campus in Umuezegem, Agiriga road, Umuokpara, Umualumoke, Agbobu even those at the Eke- Okigwe daily market, from where they shuttle to school on daily basis.

     A student of the Abia State University, Uturu, whose hostel is located at Umuokpara road, Okigwe, revealed that activities of cult boys in the area have become worrisome to them, the students.

  “Sometimes, they threaten students to join their groups. Everyone must not join cultism on campus. We are raised by Christian parents. We can not detail”, she said.

     It would be recalled, that a final year Political Science student of the University, who was said to be a cult member, was shot dead last week, by a rival group leader during a clash.

     Also, traders at the above-mentioned areas have expressed worry over the increasing broad-day light criminal activities of bandits that operate, according to them, at ease, without Security officers’ intervention.

     When contacted, the Imo State Police Command’s spokesman, Assistant Supritendent of Police (ASP) Henry Okoye, said, he was not aware of such, adding that he has not been briefed by the Okigwe Divisional Police Officer (DPO).