Group Condemns Resurgence Of Violence In Rivers Community

The Unyeada Kingdom Elite Assembly Worldwide (UKEA), a socio cultural organisation in Unyeada Kingdom in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, has expressed concern over the resurgence of violence in the Kingdom.
The group said this in a communique made available to newsmen at the end of a stakeholders meeting at Unyeada Town, headquarters of the kingdom.
Recalled that on the 5th of October, 2023, five persons were allegedly kidnapped at Ajakajak by a cult group led by one Fingesi.
According to sources from the area, three of the kidnapped victims were rescued while the whereabouts of the two others is not yet known.
The matter has since been reported to the security agencies in the local government area.
In a communique made available to newsmen at the end of its meeting at Unyeada Town, the Assembly condemned the invasion, describing it as barbaric.
According to the communique,”the meeting condemned the unwarranted invasion of Ajakajak Community by one Fingesi and his cult group on Thursday, October 5, 2023.As we speak, of the five persons kidnapped during the invasion, three persons have been rescued while two are yet to return ‘
The meeting observed that since the administration of traditional oaths to cult groups in the area, youths of Unyeada Kingdom have been living in conformity with the sanctity of the oaths, adding that the situation has led to all round peace leading to robust socio-economic activities but regretted the recent invasion which, according to the group, has thrown the Kingdom into panic and anxiety as people now fear a return of cult attacks witnessed years back.
The Assembly said it was based on this that it is sending an SoS to Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, Barrister Erastus Awortu; the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Commissioner of Police to come to the aid of the peace-loving people of Unyeada Kingdom by ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book and made to face the wrath of the law.
The communique signed by Engr Gogo Nathan, Acting Administrator General, Unyeada Kingdom Elite Assembly Worldwide and Reuben Okwa, Director, Information and Communications of the organisation also raised an alarm over the conscription of some youths in the area into a cult group presently terrorising the local government area.
“From our findings, these youths are now intimidating residents especially the vulnerable. We do not want a repeat of of what transpired in our Kingdom years back. We urged the state government and the authorities of Andoni Local Government Area to wade in and fish out these youths as our people are ready to provide useful information”, it said.
Meanwhile, the Unyeada Kingdom Elite Assembly Worldwide has decried the marginalisation of the Kingdom in the sharing of political offices in Andoni Local Government Area.
According to the communique, of the four Divisions that made up Andoni Local Government Area, Unyeada Kingdom was the least in the sharing of the offices.
“We are yet to fathom a situation whereby of the four blocks in Andoni Local Government, Unyeada is the only block without a political office in Rivers state
“As we speak the member representing Andoni Constituency in the Rivers state House of Assembly is from Ngo clan, the member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency is from Ngo, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is from Ataba clan , the Local Government Area is from Asarama clan ‘
The group alleged that of the three clans that had stints as Andoni Council chairmen, it is only Unyeada clan that does not have two terms
It stressed the need for political parties in Rivers state to consider an Unyeada person for appointment and elective position
“It is our call that Unyeada should be allowed to complete it’s two terms as LGA Chairman for equity and justice”it said

By: John Bibor