By Kingsley Izejiobi
The people of Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised alarm of the increasing wave of insecurity in the LGA.
They made their feelings known during an interactive session with the Rivers State Commissioner of Police-CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
Sole Administrator of Etche LGA, Hon. Onyenachi Nwankwor, expressed deep concern over rising criminality, land grabbing and land dispute, as well as herdsmen invasions, which have made farming and movement unsafe.
In the same vein, the President-General of Ogbakor Etche, Mr Silas Anyanwu, lamented that residents now “sleep with one eye open” due to herdsmen attacks, citing an incident where an Apara man was assaulted for refusing to pay a N6,000 fee to access his farmland.
The people expressed disappointment that the absence of the leadership of Meyetti Allah cattle breeders association at the meeting will make implementation of resolutions reached at the meeting a difficult task.
Apart from security challenges in the area, the people reported that health infrastructure in the area have also been abandoned for long, youth unemployment has increased, economic activities have declined, while electricity and sanitation has become a scarce commodity.
In response, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged the community to establish internal security measures while collaborating with law enforcement agencies.
On Herdsmen Crisis, the CP assured that the police would intensify surveillance and engage with relevant stakeholders, including Miyetti Allah, to address the menace, while on Infrastructure & Employment, he said the State Government will prioritize the revitalization of healthcare, education, and economic projects in Etche land.
He urged residents to report security breaches promptly and work closely with security agencies.
