Following the Wednesday attack by unidentified gunmen on a military checkpoint at Ekenobizi on the Umuahia-Mbaise road, Senator Austin Akobundu, who represents the Abia Central constituency, has urged the Nigeria Army to refrain from launching a retaliatory strike.

Speaking at a news conference in Umuahia and presenting his score card, Senator Akobundu, a retired Army Colonel, vehemently denounced the attack that, according to Army sources, killed two troops.

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In order to find the people responsible for the heinous conduct, he pointed out that the State Government has started a serious dialogue with the Army authorities.

Senator Akobundu expressed worry about the rising tension in the community and stated that attacking defenceless security personnel while they are on duty is the most heinous thing that can be done.

Since the event, security personnel have reportedly redirected vehicle traffic on the Umuahia-Mbaise route, leaving Ekenobizi and the surrounding settlements abandoned out of fear of a retaliatory assault.

Because the community may be innocent, he stated, “I think the military will not do anything untoward in terms of retaliation.”

Senator Akobundu, meanwhile, listed his accomplishments over the last 12 months, including sponsoring a bill to establish a Federal College of Health Technology in Ikwuano, a bill to establish an Institute of Information and Communications Technology in Umuahia North, and a bill to establish the National Sports University in Nsulu that passed first reading.

The Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs’ deputy chairman, Senator Akobundu,

said that in order to finish the several unfinished federal projects in Abia Central, he had been interacting with the appropriate authorities.

In order to raise the standard of education, he also claimed to have funded 113 constituents for training at the National Teachers’ Institute and free digital technology training for young people.

Additionally, he claimed to have taught 100 young people how to sew and raise fish, and that each participant received a sewing machine and a stipend of between N50,000 and N100,000.

Other initiatives include the April distribution of 2,232 bottles of groundnut oil and 620 sacks of rice, as well as the May 2024 facilitation of N50,000 loan facilities for low-income people.

Additionally, Senator Akobundu stated that in September, he gave 2,000 bags of fertiliser to farmers.

Senator Akobundu said he was putting further pressure on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who is also a beneficiary of the project’s competition, regarding the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene federal route.

He was hopeful that the 51-kilometer road will be completed shortly.

In the upcoming months and years, Akobundu pledged to provide his citizens with more significant representation.

According to him, Abia’s elected officials ought to work together for the sake of the state, regardless of their party affiliations.