The Logara community in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, has been plunged into grief and outrage following the tragic murder of Mrs. Chinwendu Amadi, a pregnant woman and petty trader, who was reportedly raped and killed near the runway of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA), Owerri, by unknown assailants.
Her body was discovered over the weekend in a bushy area near the airport runway, igniting protests from community youth and a demand for improved security from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
According to reports, the late Mrs. Amadi closed her shop within the airport premises on Thursday evening and was on her way home, pushing her wheelbarrow along a bush path, when she was ambushed. The attackers reportedly raped her and brutally stabbed her multiple times, leaving her naked and grievously wounded in the surrounding bushland. The horrific incident has since sparked intense community outrage, with residents and airport community members expressing fears over the rising insecurity in the area.
Community Leaders Demand Accountability
Speaking on the development, the President-General of Logara Community, Chief Martin Opara, called on the airport authorities to explain how such a gruesome act could occur within the premises. Opara decried the lack of adequate infrastructure and security around the airport despite the acquisition of their community lands by FAAN, which he said has led to overgrown bushes around the premises that now harbor criminals.
“The security around the airport must explain to us what happened to the woman and expectant mother in the airport premises. They cannot amass our land, and up till now, there is no significant structure put there by the FAAN. Except for what the Imo State Government has done recently, there is no visible presence of the federal government in that airport,” Chief Opara stated.
He further noted that “this land is left to grow bushes, and it has become a threat to the innocent people living around the airport.” The community leader expressed that unless immediate measures are taken, the community may take matters into its own hands to secure the lives of its people.
Protest Threat by Community Youths
In response to the murder, the Onyeaghalanwanneya Youths Movement (OYM) has issued a warning to FAAN, demanding immediate security improvements within the airport premises. The group, led by its President, Comrade Chukwuma Anuforo, has given FAAN a one-week ultimatum to address security lapses or face the complete shutdown of airport operations in protest.
“We are giving FAAN one week to fix the problem or face our own problem,” Anuforo said during a protest. “Governor Hope Uzodimma has already made efforts to light up the airport runway, enabling night flights, but robbers have tampered with some of these lights and equipment. This occurs due to the absence of aviation security and night guards which FAAN has neglected to employ.”
Anuforo further alleged that FAAN has refused to hire night guards recommended by the community and has left vast portions of the premises unprotected and vulnerable to criminal activity. He emphasized that OYM would escalate its protests if FAAN fails to take action within the stipulated period, adding, “FAAN must pay for the death of our sister who died near the runway.”
Community Demands Hospital and Farming Access
In addition to security demands, Anuforo called on FAAN to provide basic amenities such as a hospital for the host community, as is the standard practice in other airport host communities. The youth leader noted that previous community farming activities on the airport land kept the bushes clear, a practice that FAAN discouraged without providing an alternative means to control the vegetation. He urged FAAN to clear the bushes or allow community women to farm on the unused land to prevent further incidents.
“During the time our women were farming on that airport land, the entire place was always cleared. Since they stopped us from farming there and did not build a perimeter fence, criminals have taken advantage of the overgrown bushes to rob our people. Now, someone has been killed. If they do not want to utilize the land, they should let our women farm there,” Anuforo stated.
The youths, emboldened by community backing, have pledged to halt airport activities if the necessary security and infrastructure improvements are not made. They argue that the airport community should not continue to live under threat while hosting a federal facility.
Government and Security Officials Pledge Support
Amid the unfolding tensions, the state police commissioner and the air force commander have pledged their support to address the community’s security concerns. Their involvement aims to defuse the situation and seek justice for the deceased. Meanwhile, the Logara community and the Onyeaghalanwanneya Youths Movement insist that the tragic death of Mrs. Amadi must not go unanswered.
The tragic incident underscores the urgent need for robust security measures around the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, as community members look forward to a resolution that will ensure the safety of all, prevent future occurrences, and bring justice for the slain woman.
Contact Information for FAAN and Government Agencies
To report security concerns or share information on the incident, community members and concerned individuals are encouraged to reach out to FAAN and relevant authorities.
