Villages in Ika North East and Ika South Local Government Areas of Delta State are expressing deep concern over the surge in kidnappings within their communities. They are now fearful to visit their farms due to the prevailing sense of insecurity.
In a statement issued on behalf of the communities by Mr. Clement Osuya, the Secretary General of the International Law Association, Nigeria Branch, it was lamented that residents of Boji Boji Owa and Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area, along with neighboring villages, are facing a dire humanitarian crisis.
The communities call on the Delta State government and security agencies to urgently intervene. They describe the situation as highly critical, with kidnappers not only abducting individuals but also resorting to violence, including murdering families who cannot meet ransom demands.
This wave of kidnappings has instilled a deep sense of fear and insecurity among the residents, forcing them to abandon their farms and limit their movements. As a result, agricultural productivity has plummeted, leading to severe food shortages and the looming threat of a humanitarian crisis.
The statement urges the Delta State government to fulfill its legal obligation by taking immediate action to protect the citizens of Ika North East and Ika South Local Government Areas. It emphasizes the need for decisive steps to ensure the people’s safety and security.
The communities are calling upon the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters to promptly deploy a tactical squad to the affected areas to quell the crisis. They stress the importance of deploying a Special Intervention Squad comprising highly skilled and trained officers to combat violent crime and restore regional peace.
The statement also demands immediate action from the Nigerian Army Headquarters to halt the kidnappings and protect the lives and livelihoods of the people. It emphasizes that the inability to farm worsens the already dire humanitarian crisis and expects authorities to restore normalcy swiftly.
The people of Ika land are vital to the progress of Delta State and Nigeria, and it is deemed unacceptable that they are continually subjected to kidnapping. The government and security agencies are urged to take comprehensive actions to address the situation and restore peace, security, and normalcy in the affected regions.
Failure to do so could result in a catastrophic collapse of agricultural produce and livelihoods. Therefore, the Delta State government, Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, and Nigerian Army Headquarters are urged to respond urgently and efficiently to the cries for help from the people of Ika land, prioritizing the safety and well-being of citizens.
