The Kalabari Se-Ikpangi branch of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Rivers State, has issued an ultimatum to shut down secretariats of four local government areas in the state if, by November 28, the chairmen failed to tackle the widespread kidnapping and killings on the Emohua-Kalabari Road.
The affected local government areas include Emohua, Asari Tolu, Degema and Akuku Toru.
In a protest at the weekend, the youths who submitted disapproval letters addressed to the council chairmen, highlighted the deplorable and insecure state of the road.
The chief press secretary of IYC, Seleipiri Dokubo, in a statement said, called on the state government to wade in the matter.
“We expect a swift response to the above request from Thursday, September 15, 2022, and unequivocally declare Monday, November 28, 2022, to shut down the four local government council secretariats, if our expectations are not met as stated above and the kidnapping and killing of our people persist.
“IYC, Kalabari Se-Ikpangi condemns this act in its entirety and calls on the state government, the four local government areas, viz Emohua, Asalga, Delga and Akulga Chairmen, in synergy with critical stakeholders (traditional, opinion and youth leaders), to collaborate in beefing up adequate security along this road to curb this ugly menace,” the statement read.
In a visit to the Commanding Officer, Nigerian Army, 103 Battalion, Lt. Col. S.O Buhari at Obuama in Degema local government, the youths called for the presence of the military in the area.
They demanded the “Construction of a Nigerian Army Barrack along the Emohua-Kalabari Road and launching of an internal security outfit, including members of IYC, Kalabari, Se-Ikpangi, alongside very committed OSPAC members from Emohua local government area.
“Rehabilitation of the Emohua-Kalabari Road; acquisition of Sienna vehicles for the security outfit; hosting a security summit in collaboration with all relevant authorities – traditional rulers, youth leaders, religious and opinion leaders, security personnel (serving and retired) in conjunction with the four local government areas’ executive chairmen.”
The council also paid a condolence visit to the family of a bus driver, Mr Salvation Taylor-Harry, who lost his life, following injuries sustained at the hands of kidnappers that abducted him, on September 3, on Emohua-Kalabari Road.
Recall that there have been reported cases of kidnappings in the area.
