Oro is a complex society with a rapidly growing population of people. Oro has different and distinct ethnic languages, thus’ uniting these complex groups into one unified political entity.
Oro was one of the most secure and peaceful nation in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria. However contemporarily, this endowed nation suddenly plugged into waves of kidnapping and other heinous crimes such as armed robbery and piracy.
Over now, Oro has been plagued by several incidences of banditry and social unrest among other issues. Although banditry is not something new to the country, the situation has worsened with even the supposedly untouched people in the society being attacked by unruly elements daily in Oro.
Kidnapping has become endemic in Nigerian society most especially in Oro. It is fast becoming a lucrative alternative to armed robbery offences. The gravity of kidnapping is so intense that it has virtually affected most persons in Oro. Arguably, therefore kidnapping is not new in the area; but the current lucrative ransom-demanding strategy has become a serious social problem.
The phenomenon has escalated and led to numerous lives and property lost, which crippled the socio-economic activities.
The incident of kidnapping has affected Oro’s image as an economic hub in Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria at large, it has also affected Oro’s attempt to develop a viable tourism industry as visitors are regularly warned to be wary of coming to Oro. Security challenges in Oro have hampered economic growth.
Generally, as enshrined in chapter 2, section 14(2b) of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria, the security of lives and property is one of the primary responsibilities of the State. The horror of kidnapping has impacted the economy in the sense that it created a state of insecurity in all four Walls of the Oro nation.
For so many years now, sea piracy on our waterways has been attacking, rapping and ceasing our fishermen’s outboard engines, nets, boats and other valuables, thereby subjecting them to perpetual slavery. This singular act has caused a high increase in the kinds of seafood and other products.
Kidnapping has a very serious effect on all the socio-economic indices such as; psychological/emotional trauma, indebtedness of the victim’s family, unplanned relocation of people, financial loss through payments of ransom/Protection and forceful closure of business, among others.
Hostage and kidnap survivors can experience stress reactions including denial, impaired memory, shock, numbness, anxiety, guilt, depression, anger and a sense of helplessness.
As a youth of Oro, the killings, kidnapping, banditry and all forms of insecurity affecting our people are against the dreams of our forefathers.
We are therefore calling on politicians in Oro to de-escalate tension in Oro by playing politics with principles. We are fed up with the level of insecurity in Oro, the kidnapping, armed robbery and all forms of banditry are unacceptable in Oro.
“We have no place to call our own except Oro, we are not politically partisan, we are self-funded, and we are only interested in the security and well-being of the Oro people. We are committed to the peace and progress of Oro, we want every stakeholder in Oro to be genuinely committed to the peace and stability of Oro. We have suffered a lot, we are reaching out to the traditional rulers and the clergy, and we are not limiting our consultations. This march is to inform everyone including the hawkers that we should all work together to restore peace, security and stability in Oro.
We are seriously engaging youths in the hinterlands in their efforts to restore peace in Oro, we are concerned citizens of Oro who are embittered about the level of insecurities in our land.
We are losing a lot, companies are folding, businesses are crippling, and people are afraid to come to do business in Oro. This is why we are calling on everyone to be genuinely concerned about the restoration of peace and security in Oro.
We are calling on the International Community, Federal Government and Akwa Ibom State:-
(1) First, to ensure effective border control, second, there should be a provision of a reliable and unique identification number for each individual such as a National Identity Card, or voter card for tracking social benefits and other identification purposes.
(2) Curbing corruption among Nigerian law enforcement agencies, if the corruption within and among the few Nigerian law enforcement agencies is tackled, the problem of kidnapping for ransom is half dealt with. This will in turn restore the confidence in the Nigerians by feeding law enforcement agencies the necessary information to tackle kidnapping for ransom.
(3) We call on the attention of the law enforcement agencies on the local logistics – including understanding how the kidnappers get their food and water, arms and ammunition, phones and other means of communication, how they gather information about their victims and means of transportation.
(4) We implore the present administration of the State ably led by His Excellency; Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, to put in place measures to address the ugly situations headlog.
(5) We particularly called on the State Commissioner of Police to come to our aid by deploying the necessary machinery to salvage the situation.
(6)We called on the State Government to increase the numerical strength of the Police Force and other security agencies to curb the menace.
Adequate security tools ranging from gunboats, vehicles and other necessary logistics should be put in place to enhance smooth take-off of their responsibilities.
(7)The Governor should order the local government transition Chairmen to relocate immediately to their respective domain to enhance rapid discussion as regards security matters
(8)We appeal to the governor to award the contract to an experienced internal security, who will join hands with other security agencies and the Youth leaders in their respective domains by bringing lasting peace to Oro.
(9) The state Governor should call on the commissioner of police to act swiftly by ensuring that all the Nigerian Police in Oro, who have long been transferred some months ago to immediately redeployed to their new duty post, as we view their reasons to relocate as suspicious.
(10) We called on the State Governor to increase the numerical strength of the Police Force and other security agencies to curb the menace.
(11) We called on the Federal Government to rescue Oro from the incessant killings, rapes robbery and kidnappings currently plaguing Oro.
(12) We called on President Bola Armed Tinubu GCFR to appoint the Vice Chancellor and also constitute a governing board for the speedy take-off of the University of Maritime Studies Oron, as it has long overdue since its passage by the National Assembly possibly assented to by the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari. These actions will enhance and boost the socio-economic activities, create more employment for the teeming Oro Youths and by extension reduce crime.
Long Live Oro Nation!
Long Live Akwa Ibom State !!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Comrade Edet Eyo Mnse, Mshe
National President
Oro Youth Movement (OYOM)
Comrade Edet Iyahakwa
National Secretary
Oro Youth Movement (OYOM)
Comrade Samuel Mkpofor
Chairman
Oro Redemption Forum
Comrade Henshaw Assi
Secretary
Oro Redemption Forum
