Residents of Agwa community in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State are living with fear and uncertainty as suspected cultists, serial rapists and child kidnappers ravage the area.
Palpable fear gripped the entire community two days ago when suspected cultist armed with dangerous weapons took over a section of the town forcing residents to go into hiding for fear of being attacked by the rampaging hoodlums.
Imo Trumpeta learnt that the suspected rival cult gangs had a field day at Umuekpu area of the town prompting residents to scamper for safety. Residents told our reporter that the numerous cult gangs are alleged to be responsible for several chief theft cases, raping and unwholesome acts like car and motorcycle snatching that pervades the entire community and beyond.
Apart from a reported case where soldiers allegedly intercepted a suspected child thief said to be from the community in Owerri, several unholy incidents have been recorded in the area bordering on kidnap of people.
The residents were worried that despite the presence of a police post in the community, the suspected cultists always enjoys a free show to the detriment of the entire citizenry who are barred from undertaken social and official activities in the town. Women moving around the Ogba Orie Market square are said to be the targets of the serial rapists who torment the town
When our reporter called at the police station located near Obudi Agwa, some of the policemen on duty who refused to speak on the matter asked our reporter to get the appropriate persons to react on the matter. When contacted, the phone numbers of the Police Public Relations Officer, Vilatis Onugbu was not available for reactions.
