By Izuchukwu Nwokoma
The Abia State Government under Governor Alex Otti must pay urgent attention to the growing cases of pickpocketing, phone snatching, theft of valuables, intimidation, and violence at the popular Isi Gate in Umuahia.
Residents and visitors—especially first-time visitors unfamiliar with the area—have continued to fall victim to miscreants who loiter around the gate without any visible means of livelihood. These criminal elements take advantage of unsuspecting commuters, particularly during peak hours and at night.
It is neither hearsay nor a concocted narrative that interlopers and criminal elements congregate at different spots around Isi Gate, carefully perfecting strategies to snatch mobile phones, handbags, and other valuables, while engaging in pickpocketing with alarming frequency.
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in addition to the numerous reports already circulating, a friend of mine (name withheld) was pickpocketed in broad daylight at Isi Gate while attempting to board a tricycle (Keke Napep).
This incident is one among several crimes in which some Keke Napep operators are allegedly complicit. The victim narrated how the operator charged him ₦400 for a short trip to BCA—an unusually high fare apparently intended to distract or intimidate him. After questioning the fare and deciding to walk away, he later realized that his mobile phone was missing. It then became clear that the inflated fare was part of a deliberate ploy after he had already been pickpocketed.
Other victims, particularly those arriving in the state at night and unfamiliar with the environment, have also shared harrowing experiences of being robbed by individuals who initially appeared friendly or offered assistance.
Beyond theft, Isi Gate has also become notorious for acts of intimidation and violence. A few weeks ago, I personally witnessed a disturbing incident that reinforced the perception of a society where lawlessness thrives unchecked.
The incident involved a Keke operator and a young man in his mid-twenties. A disagreement ensued after the operator demanded a balance of ₦100 from a female passenger, who refused to pay. As the argument escalated and drew a crowd, the young man suddenly struck the Keke operator on the head with a bottle.
Shockingly, no one intervened to stop the attack. Even the presence of task force personnel at the scene failed to deter the violent act. After the assault, the attacker casually walked away with his friends, unchallenged, while the Keke operator was blamed by onlookers for not leaving the scene earlier.
Further inquiries revealed that such violent incidents have become recurrent at Isi Gate. This disturbing trend underscores the urgent need for Governor Alex Otti to beam a strong searchlight on the area with a view to flushing out criminal elements and restoring order.
This concern becomes even more pressing as the Abia State Government proceeds with the construction of a Central Bus Terminal at Isi Gate. It is imperative that proactive security and regulatory measures are taken now, before these miscreants entrench themselves and dictate the pace of activities when the terminal becomes operational.
The government must also look beyond merely stationing task force personnel at Isi Gate. Their conduct has equally drawn criticism from residents, with accusations of harassment, nuisance, and intimidation of Keke operators rather than effective crime prevention.
Acts of criminality, intimidation, and violence must not be allowed to persist at Isi Gate, Umuahia. The time for decisive action is now.
Izuchukwu Nwokoma is a journalist, public affairs analyst, and commentator on local and national issues.
