Posted by The traditional leaders of Uturu, Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State, have banded together to combat the rising crime rate near the local university.
During a meeting with Professor Maxwell Onyemachi Ogbulu, Vice Chancellor of Abia State University Uturu, traditional leaders made their stance clear.
During the visit, the monarchs, led by Eze Charles Onuoha, Chairman of the Uturu Council of traditional rulers, condemned criminal activity within and around Uturu and the surrounding towns.
They lamented that the criminal elements had begun their evil operations in the various villages of Uturu, including kidnappings, rapes, destruction of farms, and armed robberies, which had a negative impact on the socio-economic development of their areas.
However, Abia State University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Maxwell Onyemachi Ogbulu, was praised by the royal fathers for his efforts to ensure the safety of the university’s students, faculty, and guardians at the Uturu campus.
They promised Professor Ogbulu and the University administration their unwavering backing in their efforts to safeguard the neighborhood around the campus.
The Vice Chancellor of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, Ogbulu, responded that precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of students and visitors to the ABSU area.
He thanked the traditional leaders for their help so far but pleaded with them to do more to restore Uturu to its tranquil town status.
The Visitor to the University, Governor Alex Otti, received high praise from the VC for his initiatives promoting safety and academic excellence.
In the previous two years, kidnappings, armed robberies, and other criminal activity have been common on the Uturu-Okigwe, Uturu-Ihube, and Uturu-Isuikwuato roads that serve as entrances and exits to the institution, as reported by KURYALOADED
Uturu’s female residents and young people organized peaceful protests in 2021 and 2022 in response to what they saw as an increase in kidnappings, rapes, armed robberies, and farm invasions.