By Mark Lenu
The youths of Eleme ethnic nationality in Rivers State say crime has reduced drastically in the area which they largely attributed to the physical presence of their LGA chairman, Brain Gokpa.
Virtually all parts of Eleme used to be known for hoodlum activities who prey on innocent people by robbing them of their belongings in various forms, especially at night.
But the Youth Vice President of Nnyade Community in Aleto Eleme, Comrade Kattey Igwe told our correspondent that the crime rate in his area had reduced significantly when compared with how it used to be in the past.
“I can confirm to you that crime has reduced in Eleme which is largely attributed to the physical presence of our current council chairman, Chief Brain Gokpa.
“This current council chairman lives in Eleme, unlike his predecessors, who stayed in Port Harcourt, the state capital, and only came to Eleme to perform their official duties.
“By virtue of residing in Eleme, Gokpa now knows that if the area is not safe, he himself will not be safe. For this reason, he has prioritized security to the level that he wants to see the area practically peaceful.
“The fear we used to have in the past due to the disturbing activities of hoodlums had reduced as residents can now freely move and do business without being intercepted by hoodlums.
“There could still be some parts of Eleme where hoodlums have decided not to back down but in this Aleto axis of Eleme where I come from, we have experienced a significant reduction in crime,” he said.
It is obvious to state that the industrial activities in Eleme have attracted all walks of life to the area including hoodlums who see crime and criminality as a lucrative business in the area.
The area is mostly busy with heavy duty truck movements due to the industrial facilities sited in the area such as two refineries, seaport, fertiliser company among others.
