Insecurity can be likened to a terminal disease, slowly eating its way into societal fabric
By Oyagiri Monday
It stifles economic growth, stability and development. It constitutes threat to lives and properties, hinders commercial activities, and discourages investments.
Both indigenes and residents, including potential investors have fled Ekpeyeland for safer climes because, according to them, the area is not safe for business nor to reside. Particularly, those with business and those already in business folded up for fear of been targeted. That was between 2015 – 2017, the era when cultists rode roughshod on the people’s collective psychology. Kidnap, killings, theft, rape etc was the order.
However, the violent tide was reversed under the Ekpeye Regency of HRM Ny’údū Felix Enene Otuwarikpo. Then, effective interactions were held which resulted in the disarming of 334 cultists. They were granted amnesty and binded over by the then Rivers State Government but, the government failed to implement the proposal meant to rehabilitate them.
Recently, stories of cult violence and killings have increased sharply in Ekpeyeland since the beginning of September 2024. This has been particularly salient and the violence has spread over a wide range of Kingdoms. Cult violence has taken on various criminal, militant, communal, traditional, and/or political undertones, depending on the narrative.
In 2023 for instance, SP Agbashim Bako, the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Ahoada Police Division, was gruesomely murdered. Now, incidents of clashes between rival cult groups in Ekpeye has resurfaced. This had resulted to the killing of innocent people across communities.
The recent upsurge in violent crime particularly in Úpātá Kingdom is novelty because, the people savour in the efficacy of a well structured governance model. The Úpātá model has kept cultists at bay for seven years. That is why many are suspecting the recent happening as been sponsored. During a live Radio discussion with the Nigerian Info 92.3FM and Wazobia, HRM Ny’údū Felix Enene Otuwarikpo, Fnipr spoke in affirmation.
Worried by the increasing insecurity and bloodletting in parts of the Kingdom, the Úpātá Monarch strongly suggested the immediate introduction of community policing as the solution to the escalating insecurity, expressed concern about the security situation and urged security agencies to think outside the box so as to re-jig the security architecture. They need to adopt more decisive strategies to contain the situation. He also commiserated with the families of the victims.
The people are scared stiff that cult related incidents have remained unabated, and they believe government at all levels and security agencies should act fast to stem the ugly tide. Though, “we in Úpātá are aware security is not the sole responsibility of security agencies and military personnel, it is necessary to state unequivocally that we are prepared to synergize for proper policing through the embrace of local security,” Ny’údū Otuwarikpo assured. There’s the urgent need to leverage on the niceties of deploying local vigilantes to compliment official security forces. Most recent, the Eze Ekpeye Logbo in-Council under HIM Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, spoke in support of the creation of local security group to support conventional security. Importantly, corporate groups should key-in for conducive business environment.
The Úpātá Monarch agreed and also revealed that many of those sponsoring cultism and its activities are well known to security agencies. He bemoaned a situation where security officials who are meant to protect citizens, take sides with criminal elements. Twice, the royal father escaped assassination from the hands of suspected cultists for daring to stop their nefarious acts. One begin to wonder what the fate of the common man would be if the elites are not safe.
Overtime, from lack of opportunity, weak security system, cultism, unemployment to corruption, poor economy, uneven distribution of resources, the people live in delusion. The list could go on and on but citizens are tired of identifying what these problems are if government at all levels are not willing to make conscious efforts towards curbing them.
Though the Monarch acknowledged the good works Governor Siminalayi Joseph Fubara is doing especially, he is “doing much to restore the dignity of the traditional institution.” That’s why he feels that insecurity across the state is targeted at discrediting the “work the Governor is doing at the local level.”
One of the ways to tackle insecurity is to strengthen our weak security system. This weak security system can be attributed to a number of factors which include corruption, inadequate funding of the police and other security agencies, lack of modern equipment, poor welfare of security personnel, and inadequate and poorly equipped personnel.
There is the need for government to be proactive in dealing with security issues and threats, through modern methods of intelligence gathering, and intelligence sharing, training, logistics, motivation, and deploying advanced technology in managing security challenge
Another way is by creating an economy with relevant social, economic and physical infrastructure for business operations and industrial growth which also results in gainful employment. In the case of Úpātá, the Traditional Council introduced the One Youth, One Skill Initiative to assist tackle insecurity. From the time the initiative was introduced, over 300 youths have been trained with various skills and handed starter packs to earn their future. Also, the Úpātá Go to School was meant to cater for the indigent youths. Both programs are working which, confirms the theory that the upsurge in violent crime is “sponsored.”
In line, there is the need for the Nigerian government, at all levels, to ensure that poverty is reduced and a realistic social security programme is pursued and implemented to ensure that the populace gain basic needs.
Given how pervasive the issue has become, for any program that seeks to mitigate conflict in the Ekpeye communities, cultism will have to be a key consideration now that the people are through significant socio-political changes which presents both opportunities and risks to sustainable peace and development.
* Oyagiri is a public affairs analyst/SA on Media Publicity to Ny’údū Úpātá III