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A community leader, Mr Dagogo Tamuno-Tonye, in Bonny Kingdom in Rivers State has urged government at all levels to intervene over the upsurge in crimes prevalent on Bonny Island in recent times.
The community also raised the alarm over the proliferation of arms and youth addiction to drugs, which contribute to insecurity on the Island.
Speaking with journalists in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, an indigene of Bonny Kingdom, Mr Dagogo Tamuno-Tonye, alleged that weaknesses in security operations, including poor response to distress calls, could be undermining efforts of the residents to combat crimes.
He urged government to step up security operations on the Island to tackle security challenges in the area.
“The people of Bonny Kingdom are now lamenting over rising criminal activities, illicit firearms and drug abuse among youths.”
“We call for an urgent overhaul of the security architecture in Bonny Island to enhance safety of lives and property.”
“The community pleads with the authorities to take proper steps to ensure illegal firearms are mopped up in the community to reduce the rate of crimes in the area.”
Tonye expressed particular concern over the Finima axis of the community, where unauthorised firearms are circulating in the community, contributing to criminal activities.
He called for intensified operations to trace and recover illegal weapons reportedly acquired during previous tensions in the area.
He particularly appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to order a comprehensive security review of Bonny, covering patrol operations, intelligence gathering, response capability, firearms control and the conduct of personnel in the area.
On drug addiction by youths in the area, Tonye urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), to urgently intervene over what he described as alarming drug and substance abuse among youths in the kingdom.
According to him, the alleged drug problem requires intensified intelligence-led enforcement, prevention campaigns and rehabilitation programmes to prevent substance abuse from fuelling further criminality and social disorder.
Tamuno-Tonye further called for prompt investigation of reported cases of rape and other crimes, as well as stronger coordination among the police, NDLEA and other security agencies.
“Bonny could no longer afford a reactive security approach,” he said, urging authorities to conduct a comprehensive security audit and overhaul aimed at tightening surveillance, dismantling criminal networks, recovering illicit firearms and restoring public confidence.
