Lucky Johnson, who represents Isuikwuato Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, has expressed grave concern over recent violent attacks by suspected gunmen that left two residents dead in separate incidents late last month.
Addressing the matter during a plenary session as an issue of urgent public importance, Johnson condemned the killings. He urged immediate, coordinated action to halt the rising insecurity in the area.
He recounted that the first attack occurred on January 28, 2026, when a 35-year-old man, Uche Simon, was shot and killed while riding his motorcycle home. The assailants reportedly made away with his Qlink motorcycle after the attack. A day later, on January 29, another victim, 19-year-old Awba Abdulsalam, identified as a motor boy, was gunned down at Nnunya Junction in Isuikwuato.
The lawmaker disclosed that the Nigerian Police, working alongside local vigilante groups, have begun efforts to track down the perpetrators. Nevertheless, he emphasised that more robust inter-state collaboration is needed, particularly between security agencies in Abia and neighbouring Imo State, with special attention to the Okigwe axis. According to him, improved intelligence sharing is critical to curbing cross-border criminal activities.
Johnson also pointed to structural security concerns, proposing the removal of informal settlements around Abia State University (ABSU) and the Uta Farm area, which he described as potential hideouts for criminal elements. He recommended replicating the clearance strategy previously adopted at the Lokpa cattle market to address these vulnerabilities.
In addition, the legislator called for the deployment of solar-powered closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at key locations across Isuikwuato to enhance surveillance and deter crime.