As the whereabouts of the 19 NYSC members kidnapped in Imo remains unknown, a community leader of Azara-Obiator Autonomous Community, Chief Charles Obialor, has raised alarm over persistent kidnapping incidents around the community.

Obialor told Nigerian Tribune in Owerri that the development was particularly disturbing because the area had witnessed security concerns in the past.

He said security operatives later moved into the area and began efforts to trace the abductors and locate their victims.

He appealed to the government and security agencies to do something about this place adding that the people are afraid and need security so that people can move freely and return safely to their homes.

The community leader attributed the blames on the vast stretches of undeveloped land and surrounding forests which according to him have made it easier for criminals to operate.

He called on the government as a matter of urgency to clear the bushes and establish a major project in the area to attract legitimate economic activities and increase security presence.

He said: “If the government wants to stop this, they should come here, clear the bushes and establish a gigantic project that will attract people to the area”.

Obialor alleged that some residents had abandoned their farmlands because of fear of attacks by suspected kidnappers and armed herders.

He said: “The government has no project here, no presence in the entire autonomous community. For two years, we have abandoned our farmlands because of fear of being killed by the Fulani herdsmen”.

Obialor disagreed with reports that the abductors took their victims to Ifekala bush, saying he suspected they could have been taken towards Alasieke Forest, which he described as difficult to access.

He said: “The place where I suspect they are keeping the victims is Alasieke Forest. It is a very dangerous area”.

Obialor disputed the police account that 10 of the victims had been rescued, insisting that 34 people were kidnapped while two others miraculously escaped.

He said he suspected that some of the remaining victims were still being held captive by the kidnappers.

He said: “We were here when we heard the sound of gunshots. It was in the morning, around 7am. Everybody became afraid because we did not know what was happening”.

According to him, the attackers operated around the highway before taking their victims into the bush, leaving residents and motorists confused and frightened. (Sunday Tribune)