Youths Unemployment and Insecurity in Eleme

Youths Unemployment and Insecurity in Eleme By High Chief Ollorwi Osaro Introduction Unemployment is a term referring to people who are employable and actively seeking jobs but are unable to find jobs. Included in this group are those people in the workforce who are working but do not have an appropriate job - underemployment. Usually measured by the unemployment rate, which is dividing the number of unemployed people by the total number of people in the workforce; unemployment serves as one of the indicators of a country’s economic status. On the other hand insecurity is the state of being unsure. It is period of constantly expressing fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. It is a time of thinking, and some of these thoughts can be filled with doubt, hopelessness, fear and anxiety. When there are no jobs and the hope of meeting the basic human needs are far from realization frustration sets in; evil thoughts override reasoning, and the individual explores several avenues including criminal means to put body and soul together, and make ends meet. The population of Eleme is estimated to be about 304, 608 as at 2020, out of which the youth population, (15 – 35 years of age) is said to be 75%. It is also estimated that about frightening 60% of Eleme youth population is either unemployed or underemployed, a situation that possess great danger to the society in terms of crimes and assorted social vices. Such a large population of unemployed, unengaged, angry, sullen, unproductive youths in any society will constitute a menace and security risk because their lives appear hopeless and yet they are full of youthful energy. For a long time probably since the creation of Eleme Local Government Area in December, 1996, the Eleme youths have been on bondage as a result of unemployment caused by faulty institutional structures, corruption, illiteracy and poor management of resources. Though unemployment is a national phenomenon, the situation in Eleme has reached the crises state, Insecurity in Eleme is characterized by cultism, gangsterism, violence, kidnapping, assassinations, armed robbery, vandalism, theft, environmental insecurity and other vices in the area. Youths form the bulk of unemployed and are burden to the local government. Before now agriculture is the mainstay of Eleme people. Eleme has topography of flat plains netted in a marvellous web of rivers, creeks, streams and swamps including the Bonny River, Nololo Creek, Gberekpii Creek, Okulu Creek, Ochani Creek and Wamba Creek, among others. A good climate with many rivers and creeks and vast areas of arable land make the people of Eleme predominately farmers and fishermen. But the oppressive and forceful acquisition of their lands for multinational and national companies and oil exploration and production activities and mindless pollution of the environment has robbed the people of agricultural activities and afflicted them with severe pains including food insecurity and poverty. Yes, unemployment is responsible for food insecurity and has caused majority of Eleme youths to develop the feeling of inadequacy and uncertainty; they see themselves as not good enough. Unemployment produces high degree of anxiety about ones goals, relationship, and ability to handle certain situations. Youth unemployment have significantly contributed to the dramatic rise in criminal activities such as armed robbery (Salami, 2013), cultism, prostitution, theft, civil unrest, abductions and kidnapping of persons irrespective of status, religion or age. Youth unemployment is a major challenges facing Eleme today. Admittedly, the problem of youth unemployment is a national problem due to corruption and the high poverty levels requiring all of us to work in order to ensure not only survival but security. Again, Eleme youths are linked to violence, cultism, kidnapping and sometimes robbery by unemployment. Unemployment in Eleme has given to rise street crimes such snatching of motorcycles, handsets and other valuables at gun point. We have witnessed slightest resistance resulting in shooting the victim to death and carting away the items. Really, the rate of youth unemployment in Eleme has reached crisis point requiring consistent government urgent action to create jobs and prosecute all individuals who have corruptly enriched themselves thereby denying Eleme youths the opportunities of being employed. The Eleme youth has become more disillusioned by the day, especially with the strong feeling of frustration about his inability to be employed when he is capable, willing and qualified to work and especially the realization that active companies are dotted here and there around him and he sees vehicles railing thousands of people to and from work on daily basis. Emphatically, the increasing rate of unemployment amongst Eleme youths has increased the wave of armed robbery, prostitution, kidnapping, cultism, illegal oil bunkery, and on-going abductions of citizens and residents with reckless abandon as well as the popular street crimes. During the courtesy visit on the Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Hon. Obarilomate Ollor (JP) in his office at Ogale by the Executives of KAGOTE led by its President, Emmanuel Deeya the Council Chairman expressed displeasure over the attitude of multinationals operating in Eleme cosmopolitan area when it comes to employment of Eleme youths.. He observed that lack of job creation, skills and vocational training of the teeming youths of the land by these companies results in increase criminality and heightened the insecurities suffered in the area in recent past. Again, during the courtesy visit by the leadership of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality to His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Friday, 22 October, 2021 it also re-echoed that the provision of gainful employment for our teeming youths will “check restiveness” in the area. The impact of unemployment in Eleme is being felt by both the rich and the poor. In fact, unemployment has made it impossible for many couples in Eleme to face the challenge and crisis of marriage necessitating high level of divorce. The ripple effect of unemployment in Eleme can better be imagined than felt. It is a serious social and economic issue that results in a tremendous impact on everything but is often overlooked. The presence of numerous multinational and national companies operating in Eleme, and the high level of unemployment among our youths in the area calls for concern by all. A stronger system of assessing unemployment in Eleme should be put in place in order to determine its causes and how to address it better. The problem of unemployment in Eleme is further compounded by some chiefs and leaders turn contractors who sell jobs openings and opportunities to strangers, and/or pay Eleme indigenes enslavement monthly salary of 20% or less of their total entitlement. This is demonic and acute wickedness. Instead of selling job opportunities to strangers, please declare them for sale to Eleme youths so that they can buy, work and grow on the job. Similarly, the war against unemployment in Eleme cannot be won with the existing narrow, myopic and selfish definition of host community. Distinction has to be made between immediate landlords (landowners) and the community at large. The definition of host community needs to be broadened to encompass the whole of Eleme that suffer the impacts of environmental pollution and degradation arising from the operations of these companies. The impacts of pollution does not know Ebubu person neither does effects of environmental degradation recognize Ekporo person. All those within the radius suffer equally. Also, efforts should be made by governments at all levels to create jobs and strengthen job market regulation in Eleme so that Eleme youths with education or skills can live a meaningfully and contribute to the development of the area. Government and policy makers should strengthen the local content/host community regulations relating to employment of citizens of the host communities in order to give job chances our youth with the relevant skills and education. Government should build strong economic institutions and those already in place, be strengthened to create jobs for the youths for Eleme youths. The power sector in Eleme demands immediate attention for power is the heart-beat of the local informal and formal sector to drive the economy. Efforts should be made to encourage vocational, technical and entrepreneurial education in Eleme for self-employment; while corruption and mismanagement of our resources ought to be dealt with vigour. Eleme people in Diaspora with capital should be encouraged to come home and invest. Education should be made free and compulsory in Eleme, at least to secondary school level. Heads of schools that levy pupils/students unnecessarily or make one illegal monetary demand or the other should be fished out and brought to book. Finally, the Eleme Local Government Council should strengthen and empower the Eleme Employment Bureau (EEB) as an Agency of the Local Government, to update its Unemployment Data Base (UDB) and seriously scout for jobs from all the multinational and national companies operating in Eleme as well as Federal and State Governments establishments, ministries and agencies, etc. for the teeming unemployed youths of Eleme extraction. As KAGOTE President, Emmanuel Deeya said, “Eleme is the hub of the petroleum industry in Nigeria…..People cannot do business in an unsecure environment” Of a truth, it is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of organisations doing business in Eleme to employ Eleme citizens. The host community philosophy upholds that; the local contents legislation supports that. Even the much talk about immediate catchment area guideline adheres to that. Eleme has given more, Eleme deserves more! Eleme is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy! If the employable Eleme youths are taken off the streets and properly engaged in gainful employment, and companies in Eleme regularly pay relevant revenues instead of hiding under Abuja cover, and execute their corporate social responsibility as demanded by law, the attention of the Eleme Local Government will not be diverted to insecurity, but concentrate and devote all its efforts and resources towards the development of the area, and in no distance time Eleme will see what is called real development and transformation. High Chief Ollorwi Osaro

Memorandum Submitted to CTC Chairman Eleme Local Government, Hon. Johnson O. Nwogu

Memorandum Submitted to CTC Chairman, Eleme Local Government, Hon. Johnson O. Nwogu By Ollorwi Osaro

Title: Addressing Insecurity in Eleme

Congratulations

Let me start by congratulating you on your well-deserved appointment as CTC Chairman Eleme Local Government.

Introduction                              

It is no gainsaying that you assumed the leadership of Eleme at a critical period when the security and social structures of the area had almost collapsed. But I am optimistic that God has given you all it takes to fix the situation. This piece aims to give a brief roadmap to guide you as the local government boss and the leadership in your effort to address insecurity in Eleme and reconcile all feuding groups and return peace and unity to Eleme.

Weak Leadership Fuels Insecurity

Chairman, delay is dangerous. So goes the saying. In other words, Obiε ebo obi be ͻmͻ oku eji. Severally, it has been speculated that that weak leadership fuels cultism in Eleme.

As you are aware, the weak political and traditional institutions is said to have given openings for the rampaging cult activities  and associated crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and assassination in Eleme. The inability of recognized institutions to counter threats from these rival cult gangs when it was rearing its ugly head further their growth and influence. And the strength and influence of these armed gangs is fast growing that if nothing is done urgently to contain it, Eleme will soon be sacked, then the Federal Government of Nigeria will abandon force and open a peace dialogue after so many lives might have been lost and properties destroyed.

Chairman, irrespective of the life span of your government make it strong and effective. Be focused and address security and welfare the primary duty of government. Parallel government must not be tolerated in any part of Eleme. Opposition and constructive criticisms are allowed in a democracy, but definitely not parallel government.

Factors Influencing Cultism in Eleme

Each armed gang operating in Eleme appeared sponsored by both internal and external patrons bent on colonizing. The rival cult gangs seem motivated by a complex mix of economic, social, and political conditions. They grow in power as these conditions are exploited by a series of patrons seeking their own objective.

Growing from a small socio-politically motivated group with no distinct organization, they have created a network of terrorist cells in all the towns and villages of Eleme with an emerging organizational structure; and have become a major threat to Eleme.

The unique conditions of Eleme provide fertile ground for external enemies with their internal collaborators to provide the central foundation for armed gangsterism.

 Ideological indoctrination, sweetened with tangible material benefits is a powerful force, particularly when the controlling apparatus are acceptable for personal gains and aggrandizements.

There is no smoke without fire. And for fire to occur there must be heat, fuel and air or oxygen. The government should be interested in knowing those who are heating up the area and fueling the cult crises in Eleme. Although it is speculated that those who arm and send this young ones to terrorize Eleme are mostly corrupt and criminal minded elites chilling in their air-conditioned mansions outside Eleme and ridding in their super cars. The need to uncover them is now ripe. 

With funds and morale support provided by these elites comprising some politicians and traditional rulers who are sympathetic to these criminals coupled with huge returns from robbery operations and kidnap ransom, acquisition of sophisticated weapons, recruits, training, charm preparation and motivation becomes more elaborate and attractive.

Another worrisome dimension to the Ebubu rival cults crisis is the introduction of petrol bombs and dynamites on Saturday 14 November, 2015, which portends grave danger to the community if not checked before it escalates. 

Fight Cultism from All Fronts

The war must be directed at both the cultists and their patrons. The elites, political and traditional sympathizers must be identified and made to reject and renounce violence and condemn the activities of these armed gangs in clear terms.

The strategy of using your own against you is as old as man. Therefore, the search for these patrons should extend to inhabitants of our neighbouring nationalities as well as our own who reside outside Eleme. 

Until armed gangs no longer serves the ulterior motives of these crops of individuals, until the people of Eleme finally reject cultism and violence as primary means to solve their problems, cultism will likely continue to grow in power and influence.

Whether armed gangs are motivated by a desire for wealth, a desire for land, a desire for political power, a desire for followers, or a combination of all these, all armed group share a common link. They only grow beyond the level of criminal annoyance when they remain unchallenged and have support of existing authorities.

The people that tolerate the existence of armed gangs invariably do so not because they approve of them, but because they find them useful for furthering their own end. Even when they do approve of the basic motivations of the group in question, such as political or economic motives, when it ceases to serve their purpose, they will withdraw their support, and at worst, will verbally attack the group or destroy it completely, if possible.

Methods of Dealing with Armed Gangs

The dangerous aspect of armed gang is when through the support of the patrons it is able to consolidate its power and influence to the extent that it has the strength and resources to openly challenge both its patrons and other existing authorities. Once this threshold is crossed, it can no longer be treated as criminal annoyance. It must be dealt with through one of the following ways:

1.       Power politics, whereby the activities of the group is ignored and alienated to the detriment of the society.

2.       Open attack and complete destruction of the group.

3.       Acceptance of the group as a coequal and integrate them into the socio-political order.

The last option is not particularly desirable. But then, neither are the first two, which invariably prove costly in terms of blood, treasure, and political-economic capital. At some time, the piper must be paid. But when will he be paid, and what currency will be used?

Over the years, Eleme have adopted the first option. The leadership is perhaps waiting for Eleme to be sacked and law and order totally broken down before action is taken to restore normalcy. God forbid! The cases of Odi in Bayelsa State, Zaki Biam in Benue State, Ogbakiri, Omoku and Buguma in Rivers State are still very fresh in our memory. Mmi rε εdͻdͻ àkprikpa àtama àkprikpa.

Bring the Leadership Together

 It is your responsibility to bring the leadership of Eleme together to address the problems of cultism and associated security challenges in Eleme. Abandoning Eleme in these perilous times is disservice to Eleme. Those blowing cool and hot, who are pumping more fuel than water into the heat up environment cannot be smarter than security if we are sincere in this fight. The people of Eleme must be determined to move Eleme from darkness to light, from crisis to peace.

Look Beyond the Youths

To effectively dismantle cultism and restore peace and normalcy to Eleme, I implore you to look beyond these young ones. Investigation of armed gangs in Eleme by security agencies must extend to include the youth leaders, elites, traditional rulers, politicians, and even mothers who in one way or the other instigate, support, encourage or sponsor cult activities.

Addressing Cultism in Eleme

While this is necessary, you are urged to:

1.        Without further delay, constitute viable youth bodies in all the clans, towns and villages with a central youth body for Eleme, thereby silencing all other groups parading themselves.

2.       In addition to having a viable and effective youth bodies across Eleme, under a single strong umbrella, the Chairman should establish Eleme Vigilante Committee (EVC) made up of at least five trustworthy youths drawn from each of the sixteen communities of Eleme.

Though the new Eleme police boss, SP Harrison O. Akpoguma, during his familiarization tour of communities in his area of responsibility (AOR) instructed the various communities to form vigilantes group and have offered to document, train and work with such group to ensure effective policing in Eleme many communities are reluctant to do so due to fear of the unknown; threats from the cultists; weak system/institutions; and corrupt leadership. The CTC Chairman is in a good position to establish and empower the Eleme Vigilante Committee with support from the various security agencies and local leadership.

3.       Where (for one reason or the other) 2 above is not feasible, in the interim, there is need for a contingent of mobile policemen sufficient in strength to check these armed gangs and enforce law and order to be deployed in Eleme until the cultists are disarmed completely and normalcy fully restored and the threat posed by these armed gangs are removed. The elites, traditional rulers, and politicians under your leadership working sincerely together can approach the appropriate authorities to deploy a mobile police contingent for an extended period of duty in Eleme. The former Health Centre in Ebubu can serve as quarters for such a mobile force in Eleme.

4.       Create and empower Eleme Amnesty Committee (EAC) comprising representatives of the various security agencies, government officials, youths, women and traditional rulers to provide necessary incentives, mop up illegal arms in Eleme and pardon repentant cultists who return their arms and publicly denounce cultism.

5.       Except the police, or the Armed Forces, or approved and authorized security agencies, all armed groups, parties or gangs, or individuals forming part of a group, however described should be banned from entering Eleme with any such arms (guns, knives, cudgels, etc)after the expiration of the given amnesty period.

6.       Equally no fire arms should be exhibited, paraded, displayed or demonstrated at any funeral, wedding, or any other type of ceremony in Eleme. The only exception to this rule should be the firing of ànáa ebibi (canon) authorized by the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme or the proper Ͻnε Ԑε Eta during funerals of entitled Chiefs. To make this effective and bidding, the CTC Chairman should ensure that violators are promptly arrested by the police and security agencies and dealt with according to law.

7.       The formation, existence, operation and activities of any cult group, by whatever name they may be known or referred to should be banned in Eleme. Accordingly, no such groups, bodies, parties or any components of them should be permitted to enter Eleme for meetings, displays, operations or any form of activities in or out of uniform or to be represented in any function or ceremony in any manner or form in Eleme.

To resume normal life within each community, former members of cult groups whether ordinary members, leaders, or patrons should forthwith openly surrender their weapons and renounce such membership before the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme-in-Council or the Ͻnε Ԑε Eta-in-Council. The presence of government officials and security agencies is necessary for all such ceremony.

Violators of the above should be arrested by the police and security agencies and promptly dealt with according to law.

8.       Chairman, Eleme is a civilized Christian society with several Churches dating back to nearly a century. Therefore, excepting the practice of recognized traditional worship or practice all other evil forms of voodoo, occultism, metaphysics, invoking of juju intended at causing inimical or debilitating consequence or any poisoning of individuals, groups, Eleme at large or any section therefore should be banned in clear terms.

Violators should be subjected to cleansing by their Church, or be subjected to recognized traditional cleansing and oath taking before Ogbo Nkpͻrͻ Eleme with Ete-Ͻpͻͻ and Nkpͻrͻ Eleme present and traditionally administered or any other form of openly recognized oath taking as the case may be.

Where such practice involve public nuisance or malfeasance, the police, the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme-in-Council or appropriate Ͻnε Ԑε Eta should promptly and appropriately deal with the person concerned. The taboo on shedding of blood of the son of the soil in Eleme land should be respected and enforced.

In the spirit of reconciliation and settlement, let all feuding groups within the communities of Eleme cease their open or secret feuding or confrontation forthwith and let all sons and daughters of Eleme make peace among themselves and pursue unity and reconciliation.

Towards this end, the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme-in-Council should make a royal proclamation to this effect and declare a return of peace and unity to Eleme. Where the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme is indisposed, the CTC Chairman can make an executive proclamation to this effect and is bidding on all.

INSECURITY IN ELEME: THE TASK BEFORE J. O.

Insecurity in Eleme: The Task before J. O.

The new Eleme Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon. Johnson O. Nwogu assumed the leadership of Eleme at a critical period when the security and social structures of the area had almost collapsed. But all hopes are not lost because his pedigree proves that he has all it takes to fix the situation. This piece aims to give a brief roadmap to guide the local government boss and the leadership of Eleme in an effort to reconcile all feuding groups and return peace and unity to Eleme.

Delay is dangerous. So goes the saying. In other words, Obiε ebo obi be ͻmͻ oku eji. Severally, it has been speculated that that weak leadership fuels cultism in Eleme. The weak political and traditional institutions is said to have given openings for rampaging cult activities  and associated crimes like kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and assassination in Eleme. The inability of recognized institutions to counter threats from these rival cult gangs further their growth and influence. And the strength and influence of these armed gangs is fast growing that if nothing is done urgently to contain it, Eleme will soon be sacked, then the Federal Government of Nigeria will abandon force and open a peace dialogue after so many lives might have been lost and properties destroyed.

Each armed gang operating in Eleme appeared sponsored by both internal and external patrons bent on colonizing. The rival cult gangs seem motivated by a complex mix of economic, social, and political conditions. They grow in power as these conditions are exploited by a series of patrons seeking their own objective.

Growing from a small politically motivated group with no distinct organization, they have created a network of terrorist cells in all towns and villages of Eleme with an emerging administrative structure; and have become a major threat to Eleme.

The unique conditions of Eleme provide fertile ground for external enemies with their internal collaborators to provide the central foundation for armed gangsterism.

 Ideological indoctrination, sweetened with tangible material benefits is a powerful force, particularly when the controlling apparatus are acceptable for personal gains and aggrandizements.

There is no smoke without fire. For fire to occur there must be heat, fuel and air or oxygen. Who are those heating up the area and fueling the cult crises? It is speculated that those who arm and send this young ones to terrorize Eleme are mostly corrupt and criminal minded elites chilling in their air-conditioned mansions outside Eleme and ridding in their super cars.

With funds and morale support provided by these elites comprising some politicians and traditional rulers who are sympathetic to these criminals coupled with huge returns from robbery operations and kidnap ransom, acquisition of sophisticated weapons, recruits, training, charm preparation and motivation becomes more elaborate and attractive.

The war must be directed at both the cultists and their patrons. The elites, political and traditional sympathizers must be identified and made to reject and renounce violence and condemn the activities of these armed gangs in clear terms.

Until armed gangs no longer serves the ulterior motives of these crops of individuals, until the people of Eleme finally reject cultism and violence as primary means to solve their problems, cultism will likely continue to grow in power and influence.

Whether armed gangs are motivated by a desire for wealth, a desire for land, a desire for political power, a desire for followers, or a combination of all these, all armed group share a common link. They only grow beyond the level of criminal annoyance when they remain unchallenged and have support of existing authorities.

The people that tolerate the existence of armed gangs invariably do so not because they approve of them, but because they find them useful for furthering their own end. Even when they do approve of the basic motivations of the group in question, such as political or economic motives, when it ceases to serve their purpose, they will withdraw their support, and at worst, will verbally attack the group or destroy it completely, if possible.

The dangerous aspect of armed gang is when through the support of the patrons it is able to consolidate its power and influence to the extent that it has the strength and resources to openly challenge both its patrons and other existing authorities. Once this threshold is crossed, it can no longer be treated as criminal annoyance. It must be dealt with through one of the following ways:

1.       Power politics, whereby the activities of the group is ignored and alienated to the detriment of the society.

2.       Open attack and complete destruction of the group.

3.       Acceptance of the group as a coequal and integrate them into the socio-political order.

The last option is not particularly desirable. But then, neither are the first two, which invariably prove costly in terms of blood, treasure, and political-economic capital. At some time, the piper must be paid. But when will he be paid, and what currency will be used?

Over the years, Eleme have adopted the first option. The leadership is perhaps waiting for Eleme to be sacked and law and order totally broken down before action is taken to restore normalcy. The cases of Odi in Bayelsa State, Zaki Biam in Benue State, Ogbakiri, Omoku and Buguma in Rivers State are still very fresh in our memory. Mmi rε εdͻdͻ àkprikpa àtama àkprikpa.

The leadership of Eleme must come together to address the problems of cultism and associated security challenges in Eleme. Abandoning Eleme in these perilous times is disservice to Eleme. Blowing cool and hot pumps more fuel than water into the heat up environment. The people of Eleme must be determined to move Eleme from darkness to light, from crisis to peace.

To effectively dismantle cultism and restore peace and normalcy to Eleme the new Eleme LGA boss must look beyond these young ones. Investigation of armed gangs in Eleme by security agencies must extend to include the youth leaders, elites, traditional rulers, and politicians who in one way or the other instigate, support, encourage or sponsor cult activities.

While this is necessary, an amnesty committee comprising security agencies, government officials, youths and traditional rulers should be setup to provide necessary incentives, mop up illegal arms in Eleme and pardon repentant cultists who return their arms and denounce cultism.

In the interim, there is need for a contingent of mobile policemen sufficient in strength to check these armed gangs and enforce law and order to be deployed in Eleme until the cultists are disarmed completely and normalcy fully restored and the threat posed by these armed gangs are removed.

The elites, traditional rulers, and politicians working sincerely together can approach the appropriate authorities to deploy a mobile police contingent for an extended period of duty in Eleme. The Old Health Centre in Ebubu can serve as quarters for such a mobile force in Eleme.

Secondly, except the police, or the Armed Forces, or approved and authorized security agencies, all armed groups, parties or gangs, or individuals forming part of a group, however described should be banned from entering Eleme with any such arms (guns, knives, cudgels, etc)after the expiration of the given amnesty period.

Equally no fire arms should be exhibited, paraded, displayed or demonstrated at any funeral, wedding, or any other type of ceremony in Eleme. The only exception to this rule should be the firing of ànáa ebibi (canon) authorized by the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme or the proper Ͻnε Ԑε Eta during funerals of entitled Chiefs.

To make the above effective and bidding, the CTC Chairman should ensure that violators are promptly arrested by the police and security agencies and dealt with according to law.

Thirdly, the formation, existence, operation and activities of any cult group, by whatever name they may be known or referred to should be banned in Eleme.

 Accordingly, no such groups, bodies, parties or any components of them should be permitted to enter Eleme for meetings, displays, operations or any form of activities in or out of uniform or to be represented in any function or ceremony in any manner or form in Eleme.

To resume normal life within each community, former members of cult groups whether ordinary members, leaders, or patrons should forthwith openly surrender their weapons and renounce such membership before the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme-in-Council or the Ͻnε Ԑε Eta-in-Council. The presence of government officials and security agencies is necessary for all such ceremony.

   Violators of the above should be arrested by the police and security agencies and promptly dealt with according to law.

Fourthly, Eleme is a civilized Christian society with several Churches dating back to nearly a century. Therefore, excepting the practice of recognized traditional worship or practice all other evil forms of voodoo, occultism, metaphysics, invoking of juju intended at causing inimical or debilitating consequence or any poisoning of individuals, groups, Eleme at large or any section therefore should be banned in clear terms.

Violators should be subjected to cleansing by their Church, or be subjected to recognized traditional cleansing and oath taking before Nkpͻrͻ Eleme or any other form of openly recognized oath taking as the case may be.

Where such practice involve public nuisance or malfeasance, the police, the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme-in-Council or appropriate Ͻnε Ԑε Eta should promptly and appropriately deal with the person concerned. The taboo on shedding of blood of the son of the soil in Eleme land should be respected and enforced.

In the spirit of reconciliation and settlement, let all feuding groups within the communities of Eleme cease their open or secret feuding or confrontation forthwith and let all sons and daughters of Eleme make peace among themselves and pursue unity and reconciliation.

Towards this end, the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme-in-Council should make a royal proclamation to this effect and declare a return of peace and unity to Eleme. Where the Ͻnε Ԑε Eleme is indisposed, the CTC Chairman can make an executive proclamation to this effect and is bidding on all.

Insecurity in Ebubu: Wike, Demolish Trailer Park Now

Insecurity in Ebubu: Wike, Demolish Trailer Park Now

The Ebubu Trailer Park in Ejamah was originally conceived to serve as Motor Park for heavy trucks, especially trailers waiting for their turn to lift fertilizers from the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON) and transport it to various retail distributors across the country. 

With time, human presence in the area multiplied; and so did trailers and other vehicles, which caused a lot of jam on the roads. The Trailer Park soon gave rise to a shanty town around it, which can be described as a slum and is over populated.

If someone drives through the major roads, he will mistakenly assume the Trailer Park to be a decent and safe place. On the contrary, Trailer Park is worse than Ajegunle in Lagos touted as Nigeria’s foremost slum settlement. The only similarity between Ajegunle and Trailer Park is that both are built on the ground. Otherwise, Ajegunle is Paris; at least, there are well built houses with toilet facilities. There are roads and streets accessible to vehicles and some of the roads are tarred. Besides, Ajegunle is under the authority of the State and subject to the laws of the land.  

Again, in comparing the Port Harcourt Waterfronts that were demolished and dismantled by Ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi due to safety and security concerns, Trailer Park is worse, and therefore not fit to continue to exist.       

The Trailer Park is connected with Okpako settlement n Ejamah through a pipeline, which is presently used as access way and contains a hand-dug earth drain flowing from the Park into Epene Stream through Okpako settlement.

The shanty structures inhabited by so many people who have no sanitary facilities, resulted to indiscriminate defecation all over the place. Some persons, due to the high population density of the area, put up insanitary commercial toilets and channel the waste into the earth drain that flows down through the slum along the pipeline, also making the place inaccessible.

The Trailer Park and the resulted slum are very filthy and dirty with heaps of refuse scattered all over. The residents of this slum also dispose their refuse along the East-West road directly opposite Daewoo Nigeria Limited, a Korea Company, constituting a serious menace to the public, moreso, polluting the Epene Stream which hitherto serves as source of drinking water for the people of Ebubu.

The houses are made mostly of corrugated iron sheets and timbers. A few are normal block houses, but they are invariably so tightly spaced together that even commercial motorcycles (popularly known as Okada) find it difficult to gain access. Vehicle owners in the settlement park their vehicles along East-West road, Onne road or Ebubu road and trek to their homes down in the hovels.

There is an awful stench that hangs in the air and those who spend some time there carry this odour around town, giving off a whiff of decay.  Trailer Park is deafening and disorderly. Even some corporate bodies are not left out in polluting the environment as they have turned the area into a junkyard for dumping of toxic wastes and other dangerous materials.

 Lamenting the environmental degradation of the area, Senior Pastor with the Assemblies of God Church, Okpako, Rev. Eugene Osarobele said, “Last year they dumped something here and fire engulfed the whole area. People were burnt to death, and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed. This year again, the same business people have come to dump Chemicals, and those mostly affected are women and children”.

A woman was killed last year by inhaling Chlorine fume that leaked into the atmosphere when the container exploded. Many children whose respiratory system were affected by the fume also died later in the hospital – an incident which forced Daewoo Nigeria Limited to shut down for two days.

It took the intervention of experts from NOTORE Chemicals Limited, Onne and INDORAMA Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited to seal up the hazardous, destructive and killer toxic explosion and prevent further loss of lives.

Apart from sanitation, the most critical and worrisome attributes of the Trailer Park is the total lack of security and the reign of the laws of the jungle put in place by underworld mafia lords who made themselves immune to the laws of the land.

Until recently, the law enforcement agencies were unable to take control of crime in the area. Robberies were committed in broad day light. Women were regularly raped. Hardly does a week pass without people being murdered. There was an unwritten law which forbids victims of crime to report to the police, even with a police post in a Caravan along the East-West road. Those who break the law will pay with their lives or those of their dear ones.

Of a truth, some gang chiefs have erected permanent outposts where sentries are stationed to watch out for the presence of law enforcement agents. There are also landlords and caretakers who rule by the gun. There are gunrunners who feel free and fear no laws. There are drug dealers who fear no NDLEA operatives. There are also hired killers who laze about with sharp knives and tout for jobs. There are freelance assassins waiting for any odd jobs.

Of course, there are legions of sundry criminals who serve as recruits for political thuggery, oil bunkering, foot soldiers, prostitutes, armed group informants, and so on. Trailer Park appears to be on its own, having a government of its own. What harm has these hardened criminals and prostitutes at Trailer Park not caused to lives and property in Eleme as the area continue to offer them safe haven.

Another contributory factor is the demolition of waterfronts in Port Harcourt and its environs and the sacking of the residents which created hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Rivers State. This development resulted in mass movement of different types of people into Ebubu and contributed immensely to rising cases of crime in the area. The social decays which prompted the sacking of these waterfronts are known to all of us. These evils find their way into Ebubu and the result is increasing cult cases, armed robbery, rape and other sundry crimes.

 

The inability of the former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to provide alternative settlements for these internally displaced persons coupled with the lack of adequate arrangements to mitigate the diverse negative impacts of unplanned mass movement of people into Ebubu is worrisome, and therefore calls for immediate attention by the present Rivers State Government under the able leadership of Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to addressing the increasing security challenges arising therefrom in Ebubu.

 

In recent times Ebubu had recorded an increase in violence clashes between warring street gangs. The Trailer Park has become a strategic staging area for cultists and other criminals to kill, kidnap, rob and rape both indigenes and non-indigenes alike at random.

 

Many of the toughest secret cult groups have their operational centers in the shanty hiding village of Okpako – Trailer Park, because it provides excellent hiding place and escape outlets in an emergency.

 

The security threat posed by these illegal, lawless and irresponsible settlers at the Trailer Park is real. The Trailer Park is home to many hardened criminals and prostitutes. They have transformed the hitherto peaceful and orderly Ebubu towns and villages into violent and crime infected communities where cultists, armed robbers, rapists and other hoodlums operate freely day and night.

 

The roles being played by non- indigenes in the ongoing violence in Ebubu have revealed the danger posed by continues existence of Trailer Park.  Let Trailer Park go!

 

It is on record that during the Town Hall Meeting held with Eleme people at Ambassador Nne Furo Kurubo Modern Secondary School, Ebubu on August 19, 2010 the Ex-Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi directed the then Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Hon. Oji N. Ngofa to demolish the Trailer Park “to give way for the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone complex, and to arrest the health hazards and threats to lives and property posed by the illegal, lawless and irresponsible settlers at the Trailer Park”.

 

This directive, as loud and clear as it came, was not implemented. Today, all communities in Eleme are facing one security threat or another. Ekporo has been sacked; the very survival of Ebubu is severely threatened. There are reported cases of cult related kills in Ogale, Alesa, Aleto, Alode, Agbonchia, Onne, Eteo, etc.

 

The criminality, hostility, and lawlessness of the illegal settlers at Trailer Park grow by the day. There resistance to the law of the land and disregard for government authority and development is bothersome.

 

When on Wednesday 2^nd April, 2014, the Eleme Local Government decided to take development to the illegal settlers at the Trailer Park by grading an access road hardly did the authority know that the exercise will be stiffly resisted and turned out to be bloody. Government officials led by the Supervisor for Environment, Chief Emmanuel Oluji and the Secretary of Ejamah Council of Chiefs and Elders, High Chief Augustus A. Yanwi were rough handled, attacked and assaulted by these hoodlums who ganged up into a mob. The grader’s windscreens were shattered, and the Operator beaten mercilessly, not minding the presence of the police.

 

The lack of security is a major problem in Ebubu in particular and Eleme in general. Trailer Park should be sanitized. Everything possible should be done to provide security of lives and properties in the area.  

 

Towards this end, all law abiding citizens and residents of Ebubu are to support government’s determination to make Ebubu safe and secure, so that people can go about their legitimate businesses without fear.

 

The Trailer Park area is porous and poses a serious threat to peace and security within Ebubu and Eleme. Therefore, the calls for the destruction and dismantling of all houses around Trailer Park, and for the government to in turn provide an alternative accommodation for the residents are not out of place.

                   

This is a call on the security agencies to beam their security lights on Trailer Park and possibly take over the place.

 

Instead of this vast portion of land to be left fallow or to continue to provide sanctuary for criminals, it can be used for other meaningful developmental projects such as a Housing Estate or a Standard Market or a Standard Motor Park to serve the Onne Oil and Gas free Zone and the Onne Ports Complex.

 

My investigation revealed that the owners of the land are willing to donate the land for any of such developmental project. These are all public revenue generating ventures that the governments can exploit for the benefits of the citizens.