The heartland city of Owerri, the capital of Imo State, famous for fascinating nightlife as it houses mostly hotels, bars, high street casinos, nightclubs and lots more , has been grappling with severe security challenges, including attacks on security agencies.
Despite the fact that Owerri is one of the places in the Southeast that embraces its rich culture and history, Daily Post findings shows that the town is currently a shadow of itself.
This development has prompted residents to call for more effective and improved security measures in the State.
Some residents interviewed on Tuesday said places like Control, before Rochas Foundation College , Douglas road by Ama Hausa , Mbaise Road, Edede , Ama JK, World Bank Road by Orange room, Concord Arena by All Seasons Hotel, and 40-40 located in new Owerri and Owerri municipality council area of Imo State have become hot spots for criminals, giving residents sleepless night.
A resident, Mr Fabian Ayuba told Daily Postthat most phones snatched or items that suddenly go missing are always traced to Ama Hausa and some of these places.
He said these areas provide shelter to all sort of criminals, including drug peddlers, cultists, prostitutes and even armed robbers.
Ayuba called on the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to ensure concrete plans were made to curb the looming security threats.
Only on Monday, three suspected car snatchers met their waterloo when luck ran out of them as Naval Officers who stationed at the Imo Airport junction pursued and caught them.
The suspects who allegedly snatched a vehicle in Immerienwe, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of the State were overpowered by the military men.
The gunmen may have taken advantage of the fourth Monday sit-at- home, knowing that residents were still obeying the order before the intervention of the military men who according to reports shot down the three suspects.
When contacted for reaction on the development and others, the police spokesman in Imo State, Mike Abattam, said he was in a meeting and could not react as at press time.