The Abia State House of Assembly has summoned the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) over the alleged police killing of a resident and the recent pipeline explosion in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area.

The Assembly, at plenary on Tuesday, passed a resolution urging the NPDC to urgently engage with the Abia State Government to address the plight of residents affected by the pipeline explosion in Owaza.

The lawmakers also called on the company to compensate victims whose homes, farms and other properties were destroyed in the incident, which reportedly caused extensive property damage without any loss of life.

The motion was moved by the member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Adiele, who accused the NPDC of neglecting the community despite the devastating impact of the explosion.

Adiele alleged that the company had failed to respond adequately to the disaster or fulfil its corporate social responsibility obligations to the affected residents.

The House consequently directed Adiele to work with the House Committee on Environment to engage the NPDC and report back to the Assembly.

In another resolution, the Assembly urged the state executive to rehabilitate the Omoba–Umuekegwu–Amaekpu Umuokoro Road in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

The motion was sponsored by the member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Hon. Rowland Chinwendu, who noted that the road project had already been captured in the state’s current budget.

The House directed the lawmaker to liaise with the Committee on Works to facilitate the implementation and funding of the project.

The Assembly also received and adopted the report of its Committee on Public Accounts, Anti-Corruption and Due Process on the Accountant-General’s reports and the state’s financial statements for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 fiscal years.

It further adopted reports on the Abia State University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, as well as a petition challenging the alleged clandestine publication in the state government gazette changing the name of Ubakala Autonomous Community to Amibo Autonomous Community.

Meanwhile, the House invited the Nigeria Police Force, including the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, to appear before it next Tuesday over the alleged killing of Mr. Abraham Okwukwe of Umuocheala Village, Mbutu, in Isiala Ngwa South.

The invitation followed another motion moved by Chinwendu, who alleged persistent cases of police brutality and extortion in. (Guardian)

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