Edith CHUKU
In a bid to tackle the menace Of drug abuse, insecurity, land grabbing among youths, Woji Community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, has held a one-day security summit.
The summit held on Thursday, brought together traditional leaders, government officials, and residents to deliberate on insecurity, drug abuse, land grabbing, and environmental management.
In his address, the LGA Chairman, Dr. Gift Worlu who was represented by his vice, Dr. Joyce Nyeche, commended the community for the initiative.
Nyeche emphasized the importance of such gatherings, describing them as opportunities for communities to identify and solve their problems collectively.
According to her, “like my boss always says, people united can never be defeated. United we stand, divided we fall. If we must defeat insecurity, land grabbing, and drug abuse, then we must cooperate with government and with each other.”
She lamented the rising cases of insecurity and drug abuse, warning parents to be more vigilant about their children’s activities and peer influences.
Nyeche stressed that drug abuse has destroyed the lives of young ones and breeding criminality, noting that the fight against the menace must begin from within the community.
She further raised concerns over land grabbing in Obio/Akpor, pointing out that many cases are fueled by insiders within the communities. She assured residents that the council was committed to tackling the problem head-on.
On waste management, the vice chairman aligned with the lecture delivered by the Managing Director of RIWAMA, Dr. Ibinabo Wokoma, who earlier highlighted the importance of proper disposal, reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste, even as she emphasized that “cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Nyeche urged the community to support government’s efforts to maintain a healthy environment.
She also encouraged residents to participate actively in the ongoing voter registration exercise, stressing that accurate population records determine community allocations and development benefits.
Speaking at the summit, the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Emeka Ihunwo, warned against illicit drug sales and other criminal activities within the community.
Ihunwo declared an “operation pack and go” directive to those involved in the sale of drugs, stressing that from Monday, defaulters will face stiff consequences.
“If you are a Woji son or a non-indigene residing here and you are into selling drugs, we are giving you a grace period till Sunday. From Monday, it will be fire for fire,” the royal father cautioned.
He recalled that the last community security summit held in 2019/2020 led to the resolution for every street in Woji to have a security gate with personnel stationed to man them.
Ihunwo thanked residents for complying with that directive, noting that the initiative not only improved safety but also created employment opportunities.
He further advised residents to desist from fraudulent land deals, forging documents, and other practices capable of tarnishing Woji’s reputation, emphasizing that Woji has always been an organized and united community.
Also speaking, RIWAMA MD, Dr. Ibinabo Wokoma, called for proper waste disposal practices while highlighting the importance of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, while urging residents to stop dumping refuse on road medians, which poses health and environmental hazards.
Wokoma assured that the Rivers State Government ws working to expand dumpsites and improve receptacle placements across the state, adding that communities like Woji should partner with RIWAMA in ensuring cleaner surroundings.
The Commander mini Okoro Police division ACP Lawan Yunus urged residents of Woji Community to remain vigilant and adopt safety measures as the Ember months approach.
He commended the royal father and community leaders for organizing the event at a critical period of heightened social activities and increased criminal tendencies.
The police chief outlined key security measures structured into situational awareness, transport and road safety, home security, financial security, and social life safety tips.
On personal safety, Gusau advised residents to remain alert, avoid walking while glued to their phones or using earphones in public, vary their routes, and keep a low profile by not displaying wealth in public.
For transport safety, he warned against boarding unregistered taxis or suspicious vehicles, advised motorists to keep car doors locked and windows up in traffic, and to always check back seats before entering their cars. He stressed the importance of not resisting armed robbers, noting that “your property is not worth more than your life.”
On home security, Gusau recommended reinforcing doors and windows, installing CCTV and motion sensors, disposing of packaging of expensive electronics discreetly, and using light timers when traveling to deter criminals.
Addressing financial and cybercrime, he urged residents to be cautious at ATM points, shield their PINs, and remain vigilant against online scams and phishing attempts. He also advised against posting real-time locations on social media.
For social gatherings, he encouraged residents to watch their drinks, inform friends and family about their whereabouts, drink responsibly, and remain calm during crises.
Gusau concluded by urging the community to take these measures seriously during the Ember months, saying:
“By adopting these security tips and making them a habit, we can all significantly reduce our risk of becoming victims of crime. Stay alert. Stay safe. And may we all enjoy a peaceful and joyful end of the year.”
