The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the apex socio-cultural youth organization of Ndigbo worldwide, has raised an alarm about a new wave of criminal activities in southeastern Nigeria, allegedly orchestrated by individuals disguised as “Akpakara Nomadic agents.”

In a statement released on Friday, the OYC, led by Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, accused these individuals of posing as waste collectors, particularly scavenging for metal scraps such as rods and plastic materials.

However, the group, which comprises predominantly young men, is said to be involved in a range of illicit activities, including kidnapping, rape, organ harvesting, and armed robbery.

According to intelligence reports from the OYC’s Special Intelligence Directorate (SID), the so-called “Akpakara Nomadic” agents are believed to have infiltrated rural and urban areas across Igboland, engaging in criminal acts while masquerading as harmless scavengers.

“Some of these individuals dress like beggars, hiding weapons under the waste materials they collect,” the statement reads.

Recent incidents have highlighted the growing concerns around these criminal groups. In Mbaise and Emekuku, for instance, an elderly widow and a young man were killed while attempting to stop an alleged thief who had stolen cooking pots and scrap materials from a backyard.

The OYC also reported a sharp rise in kidnapping cases in the region, with victims abducted from homes, workplaces, markets, and even rural farmlands.

The council warned that the “Akpakara Nomadic” groups may be behind some of these abductions, further fueling fears of coordinated criminal networks operating under the guise of waste-picking businesses.

Investigations indicate that the majority of those involved in the “Akpakara Nomadic” lifestyle are not of Igbo descent and often live in temporary structures or unfinished buildings.

They are accused of infiltrating construction sites to steal valuable materials such as iron and aluminum. In some instances, reports claim that aluminum roofing sheets were stolen from buildings in rural areas, including the Aba Branch in Ehime Mbano.

The OYC has called for urgent action to curb the spread of this criminal activity, urging traditional rulers, community leaders, and town union presidents to take a stand against the “Akpakara Nomadic” agents. The statement also issued a strict directive banning these agents from entering Igboland and ordered them to vacate within seven days.

“The presence of these criminals in our communities cannot be tolerated any longer. We urge community leaders to take responsibility for safeguarding our people, ensuring that these so-called waste collectors are not allowed to roam freely,” said Comrade Igboayaka in the statement.

The OYC further recommended that legitimate waste buyers establish fixed locations for business transactions rather than allowing itinerant scavengers to roam the streets. It stressed that anyone found loitering or wandering in communities, streets, and farmlands will be treated as a potential criminal.

As the deadline approaches, the OYC has warned that failure to comply with the new directive will lead to severe consequences for those identified as part of the “Akpakara Nomadic” group.

The OYC stated: “We must reject, resist, and stop the infiltration of criminal elements disguised as ‘Akpakara Nomadic agents.’ Our people deserve to live in safety and peace.”