Every country in the world always have a travel advisory or restrictions. I receive such advisory from many countries due to my professional disposition, travel advisory helps citizens of a country on how to move from one position to the other. It is therefore fool hardy for any citizen to ignore travel advisory from their home country.
For instance in Nigeria where people travel out of their state to reside in other state for economic or social gains their are periods in the year when it becomes incumbent for such resident to travel back to their state of origin either for one social, cultural, traditional or political type of gatherings. In this respect the people usually resort to obtaining travel advisory from those relations residing in their states of origin through exchange of phone calls, newspapers or electronic media. These commendable and advantageous aspect of obtaining travel advisory helps to upgrade knowledge on security situation in ones home state. I am more particular about the South West and South Easterners who are like the Jews of Nigeria. They traverse the length and breadth of the country and beyond. They know the importance of traveling.
Travelling increases intellect and expands environmental knowledge. Travelling stands out as a unique teacher. It exposes one to hidden knowledge and has the ability to improves talents and ability. All the world leaders tradititional, politicians and religious leaders were once great travelers.
The seasonal period when they travel back home are mostly during the religious and traditional seasons like, Salah, Easter, Yam festival and Christmas festival. Unfortunately, the situation is getting worse by the day, from the North, South and to the East and West. daily, the news making the round have consistently created fear in the heart of many citizens as they daily embark on their journeys around the country tongue in cheek and always in the mood of prayer.
The increasing rate of insecurity that hangs over the communities makes traveling to be undesired. With the gun attack on the convoy of Senator lfeanyi Ubah, Ubah, who represents Anambra South Constituency in the Red Chamber and also running for re-election in 2023 on the platform of Young Peoples Party, was attacked while returning to Nnewi, his home town from a function.
According to media report, armed gun men on September 11, 2022 attacked the convoy of the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, was attacked at Enugwukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to eyewitnesses, the convoy was ambushed by heavily armed men who opened fire on his convoy from all directions.
Some of his aides were killed including some police officers.
The Senator is said to have managed to escape but his bulletproof car was riddled with bullets.
Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Mr Echeng Echeng, has already led operatives to the scene at Nkwo market, Enugwukwu.
The aide said ,Senator Ubah and his convoy were passing Nkwo Enugwukwu junction when they were shot at from all sides by the attackers.
Again in lmo State, Gunmen on Monday invaded Obudi Agwa community in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State and killed five persons including the traditional ruler of the community, Ignitus Asor. Several community sources told our correspondent that the armed youths stormed the king’s palace where a community matter was being discussed and opened fire indiscriminately.
While the traditional ruler, two palace chiefs and two other members of the community died on the spot, others, including the traditional prime minister, Chief Stephen Ajoku, was injured.
Apart from invading the community, the criminals also stormed neighbouring Mgbala community, shot a pregnant woman and a local security officer.
With the hike in flight fare, even long journey transportation is on the increase. Despite this hard economic difficulty, the number of transporters and passengers are drastically reducing. In the South east and western states, the situation is getting more tensed at schools, markets , transporters and workers all over South Eastern States are under lock and key every monday and this illegality which is weekly being perpetrated under the guise of local agitation. Was this the reason why even the presidential tour of lmo State, was shifted to a Tuesday instead of a Monday, just to avoid any confrontation with the local known as the lndegenous People of Biafra (lPOB ). The group have their tentacles in all the five Eastern States. Their neferous activities are better heard than experienced. They alledgedly kidnap citizens, including clerics, security personels and traditional rulers with no qualms.lndeed their word is law to be obeyed. Yet there are constituted governments and bodies in those states where these abnormalities are happening. The five governors, the legislators, traditional and security agencies should live up to their constitutional responsibilities and stop these halt the derailing train of our youths and their exuberant agitation in the overall interest of the people. Agitations are two edged sword that don’t often mean well for both the agitators and the people and is usually resolved no matter how long, and to what extent blood had been shed and destruction accompanied, the peace table has the ability to resolve all the differences. So, when there is peace, the people would be able to travel with members of their families. So, when the states are peaceful, then the economy and social live would thrive. The question is: “Shall we travel this Yuletide ?”
Oil vessel controversy (1)
The arrest and eventual destruction of MT Deima vessel with capacity of 1,500 metric tonnes and had seven crew members on board with illegal crude oil. The vessel with internnational Maritime Organisation (IMO) number 7210525 and arrested by the Tantita Security Services Limited in Delta state, and later set ablaze by the Nigerian military in Warri, has set tongues wagging across the world .
What is baffling is the boldness of the captain of the vessel to sail into Nigerian sea shore to perpetrate this illegality. Thank goodness for the alertness of former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as “Tompolo”.
His security company was awarded the multi-billion-dollar surveillance contract in a bid to address rampant oil theft.
Impressively, his company has so far uncovered 58 instances of oil being siphoned from pipelines, including one connected to Nigeria’s major export line where oil was tapped unnoticed for nine years.
(To be continued)