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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), Aba chapter, is partnering with the Abia State Government to stamp out the illicit drugs trade and consumption in the state.
To this end, a security task force has been launched to eradicatethe consumption and sale of illicit drugs and fight crime in the Milverton axis of Aba.
The Chairman, Aba South Local Government Area, Obilor Anyanwu, who announced the partnership at the weekend during the inauguration of the taskforce at Milverton Road luxury bus terminal, said the establishment of the taskforce was to protect the lives and property of citizens and improve ease of doing business.
He was of the opinion that the ease of doing business cannot be feasible without proper functioning of the transportation subsector.
Anyanwu regretted that a dangerous criminal gang is growing and expanding to other areas from the Milverton Avenue luxury bus terminal.
He disclosed that the criminal activities, which included open hard drug sales and consumption, snatching of people’s belongings and even rape, are on the rise in the area.
Anyanwu said that such illegal activities are hampering businesses and creating a bad impression of Abia in the eyes of visitors, who had been victims, hence the need to stop them now.
“Presently, on Milverton Road and around the park, hard drug consumption is practised openly, stealing, even rape and other crimes are perpetrated along Asa Road, Azikiwe, Milverton, around Aba Main Park, and York Street.
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“People can no longer come out as early as 4:30 a.m. to beat early transportation targets.
“It has now become worrisome, because there are dangerous spots on Milverton Road, where the criminals hide, but we shall fish them out to ensure such activities are nipped,” he said.
Anyanwu warned the task force members not to give information to the criminals, which would enable them to attack the park and its functionaries.
Chairman of ALBON, Abia chapter, Chibueze Chikelu, said the initiative was born out of the desire to benefit visitors and residents of Aba and Abia.
He said that the association decided on their own to end every kind of criminal activity on Milverton Roa,d hosting the Aba luxury bus park, and asked for the government’s assistance.
Chidiebere Okpaleke, Divisional Police Officer, Central Police Station, Aba, said the essence of the task force was to ensure security.
While promising police assistance to the task force, Okpaleke urged its members to work within the ambit of the law.
