The presence of policemen on roads in Abia State has dropped drastically in the last ten days.
The development is not unconnected with attacks on the officers by hoodlums in recent days, especially during the EndSARS protests in parts of the State.
Recall that Abia State Commissioner of Police, Janet Agbede had on Wednesday, October 27, paraded a 70-year-old man and 21 others for killing two police officers and injuring others in Aba during the protests.
But a tour around all major roads and hinterlands of Abia State, indicated that many road blocks and patrol activities have disappeared.
In Aba, the situation was much felt as many Policemen are still afraid to return to roads, while some others prefer to dress in mufti, until the atmosphere becomes conducive again.
The busy Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road also recorded low presence of Policemen, together with the Umuahia-Ubani-Uzuakoli road.
The State capital, Umuahia was not any different on Saturday as the busy FMC junction before Government House and Isigate , Umuahia recorded zero presence of police officers and traffic control officials, resulting in long stretch of hold up.
However, army officers’ teams have been patrolling the major streets of Umuahia to ensured violent-free city.
But some residents of Umuahia have expressed apprehension over the low presence of police, fearing that it may lead to upsurge in crime rate in the metropolis.
It would be recalled that a group of armed robbers attacked Point of Sale (PoS) operators, supermarkets and other business shop owners in parts of Umuahia early last week, stealing huge sums of money and taking advantage of the absence of police probably.