The people of Affa in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State have commended Governor Peter Mbah for his intervention in the rescue of residents recently abducted by kidnappers, while urging the state government to urgently address insecurity and infrastructure deficits in the community.
The call was made by the Affa Achala Ukwu Group, which said the safe return of the abducted residents had brought relief to families and residents who had endured days of fear and uncertainty.
The group said the Governor’s intervention demonstrated the government’s concern for the safety and welfare of Ndi Affa, but appealed to him to complement the security intervention with urgent development projects across the community.
Chief Dr. James Nnebedum Ibe, who commended Mbah for his intervention, appealed to the Governor to fulfil promises made to Ndi Affa, particularly in the areas of security, roads and basic social amenities.
Ibe identified the poor condition of roads linking communities in Affa as one of the most pressing challenges confronting the people, warning that inaccessible roads were not only hampering economic activities but could also provide hideouts for criminals.
He urged the state government to rehabilitate the roads and ensure that they remain accessible, particularly at night, arguing that good road networks would improve economic activities and enable security agencies to respond more rapidly to emergencies.
Speaking on behalf of Affa Achala Ukwu Ezumezu, Peter Joners Amadiosonwu, popularly known as Ezeudene España, also called for urgent intervention in electricity and street lighting.
Amadiosonwu said several communities were left in darkness at night, creating an environment that could encourage criminal activities and heightening residents’ fears.
“Security cannot be separated from development. Communities that remain in darkness are more vulnerable to criminal activities,” he said.
He appealed for reliable electricity and functional streetlights across Affa, while also raising concerns over what he described as inadequate political and administrative representation for the area.
Amadiosonwu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take voter registration to Affa, noting that many residents had yet to be registered and could therefore be excluded from the electoral process.
He said there was a growing perception among residents that Affa was being left behind whenever decisions on development and government interventions were made, urging Governor Mbah to ensure that the community received appropriate attention and representation at all levels.
The group also appealed for improved healthcare services, saying Affa lacked adequately equipped medical facilities capable of handling emergencies.
According to Amadiosonwu, residents with serious health conditions often travel long distances to access appropriate medical care, a situation he said could become life-threatening during emergencies.
He therefore urged the government to establish a functional healthcare centre in Affa with facilities for basic treatment and emergency care.
The group equally expressed concern over the condition of schools in the area, calling for improved infrastructure, better learning environments and greater support for education to ensure that children in Affa are not disadvantaged by their location.
On security, Amadiosonwu said insecurity in some villages had become a growing concern, with residents increasingly afraid to venture into their farms.
He alleged that the situation had affected agricultural activities and raised concerns over reports of sexual violence against women in some parts of the community.
He called for sustained security operations to protect residents, secure rural communities and restore confidence among farmers and other residents.
The Affa Achala Ukwu Group reiterated its appreciation to Governor Mbah for the successful rescue of the kidnapped residents, but urged the administration to follow up the intervention with visible development and lasting security measures.
The group said the people of Affa were not demanding special treatment, but “development, security, effective representation and the opportunity to live safely and meaningfully in their ancestral communities.”
