The Abia State House of Assembly has called for justice for Miss Chinwendu Achumba, a 21-year-old nursing student from Obingwa who was murdered in Imo State.
At plenary on Tuesday, lawmakers considered a motion of urgent public importance on the killing of …-basic nursing student of Our Lady of Mercy College of Nursing Sciences.
Presenting the motion, the member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen, informed the House that Achumba was found murdered at her off-campus residence in Umuadara Umulogho, Imo State, on May 2.
Stephen described the incident as a tragic one.
“The House must speak with one voice in condemning these heinous acts and demand justice for the deceased and her bereaved family,” he said.
He noted that the circumstances surrounding Achumba’s death pointed to a disturbing level of violence against women and students, raising concerns about the safety of students residing within and around tertiary institutions.
He commended the Imo State Police Command for arresting suspects linked to the crime and urged security agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent and diligent investigation.
“The brutal killing of this young student is not only an attack on one family but an assault on our collective humanity.
“Justice delayed in this matter will amount to justice denied,” he said.
The lawmaker also called for stronger security surveillance around educational institutions, student hostels and off-campus residences, as well as intensified efforts by the government at all levels to combat gender-based violence and crimes against women.
Also, the member representing Umuahia East State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie, described the incident as deeply painful and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family.
“I can only imagine the agony the family of the late Miss Chinwendu Achumba is going through at the moment. This is somebody who was sent to acquire knowledge, and what the family is going to receive back are her remains,” Okezie said.
He further suggested that the matter be transferred to Police Zone 9 Headquarters to enable closer monitoring by both Abia and Imo States and ensure justice is served.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, described the incident as heartbreaking, particularly for parents who make sacrifices to provide education and a better future for their children.
“It is always very saddening and heartbreaking for any parent to lose a child, especially when that child is murdered,” the Speaker said.
He assured lawmakers that he would personally draw the attention of Governor Alex Otti to the matter, adding that every effort should be made to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
In a separate motion of urgent public importance, the member representing Umuahia East State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie, raised concerns over the worsening erosion menace in Emede-Mkpuru Community, Ibeku, in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
He warned that the erosion site had continued to expand, threatening lives, homes, farmlands, roads and public infrastructure within the community.
According to him, the situation had reached a critical stage requiring immediate intervention before it degenerated into a full-scale environmental disaster.
“The erosion site has already encroached dangerously close to residential buildings and access roads serving the community. If urgent remedial measures are not undertaken, many families face displacement and vulnerable community assets may be lost,” he said.
Okezie disclosed that a residential building located near the erosion site had recently been swallowed by the gully.
“A building that was standing just close by the erosion site has been swallowed a few days ago by this disaster. I had to assist the occupants of that building to relocate, but eventually that building has been swallowed as we speak,” he stated.
The lawmaker urged the Abia State Ministry of Environment, the Umuahia Capital Development Authority and other relevant agencies to urgently conduct a technical assessment of the affected area and include it in ongoing erosion control intervention programmes.
He also called on the House Committee on Environment and Ecological Matters to undertake an on-the-spot assessment and report its findings to the House.
Supporting the motion, lawmakers emphasized the need for proactive measures, including proper drainage infrastructure and improved environmental management practices, to tackle erosion challenges across the state.
The House also received the report of the Committee on Lands and Housing on HAB 34, the Real Estate Regulatory Bill, and HAB 36, the Landlords and Tenants Bill.
Presenting the report on behalf of the committee chairman, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie said stakeholders consulted during the public hearing supported the harmonisation of both bills into a single legislation.
The committee recommended the establishment of the Abia State Property and Tenancy Regulatory Authority to regulate property transactions, protect landlords and tenants, oversee the activities of property agents and promote a digitalized framework for land and housing administration in the state.
The report was adopted as a working document, while further consideration was deferred to allow lawmakers to study its provisions before the next stage of legislative action.
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