Lilian Ugwu
The Abia State House of Assembly has called for urgent security intervention following the gruesome discovery of six young girls found dead on a farmland in Ukwa East Local Government Area.
The lawmaker representing Ukwa East Constituency, Lewis Obianyi, brought the matter before the Assembly under urgent public importance, describing the incident as a serious threat to public safety and rural livelihoods.
According to him, the bodies were discovered on March 23, 2026, in Akrika Ukwu community, sparking widespread fear among residents, particularly farmers who now feel unsafe accessing their farmlands.
Obianyi noted that the condition in which the victims were found has raised strong suspicions of ritual-related killings, urging swift action to prevent further tragedies.
The incident, he said, has disrupted economic activities in the agrarian community, with many locals reportedly abandoning farms over safety concerns—an emerging risk to food production in the area.
Responding to the motion, the Abia State House of Assembly directed the state government to immediately engage heads of security agencies to investigate the killings, track down the perpetrators, and restore confidence among residents.
Lawmakers stressed the need for increased surveillance, community policing, and intelligence gathering across vulnerable rural areas to curb rising insecurity.
The Assembly further emphasized that ensuring the safety of lives, especially in farming communities, remains critical to both economic stability and food security in the state.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.