Nsokpo Residents Seek Urgent Action Over Insecurity, Bad Roads

Residents of Nsokpo Community in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, have appealed to the state government to urgently tackle worsening insecurity and the poor condition of major roads linking the community to neighbouring areas.

The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Nsokpo Dynamic Association, a group of young professionals from the community, and signed by its President, Onyejiaka Mark, and Secretary-General, Chukwudi Ohiri.

The association alleged that Nsokpo had experienced repeated kidnappings and armed attacks in recent months, which it attributed to suspected herders and other criminal elements operating in surrounding bushland.

According to the group, the security situation had disrupted daily life in the community, with farmers reportedly afraid to access their farms, traders shutting their businesses before dusk and parents keeping their children indoors early.

The association urged Governor Hope Uzodinma to provide sustained security patrols in the area, including day and night operations, to deter further attacks.

It also called for a coordinated security operation to search the Nwaogwugwu land and bush axis between Ogbaku and Umunoha, as well as other bush areas bordering Nsokpo.

The group further appealed for government support for community policing initiatives, including resources for local vigilante groups working with formal security agencies.

Beyond insecurity, the association raised concerns about the deplorable condition of the Nsokpo–Ifakala–Nwaorieubi Road and the Nsokpo–Lawa–Ohi Road.

It said the poor state of the roads had made transportation difficult, costly and dangerous, particularly during the rainy season, while also affecting the movement of farm produce and access to markets.

The association called for the reconstruction of the two roads and the installation of streetlights in dark and high-risk areas to improve security at night.

Describing Nsokpo as strategically located along the route to Owerri, the state capital, the group said securing the community and improving its road network would boost economic activities and improve access to neighbouring communities and markets.