Aborigines of several communities in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State have raised alarm of the despicable rate of criminal activities in Okrika, especially, incidences of robbery.

One of them, a clergy of the Anglican Communion who resides in Obianime-Ama, Philip Aduko, told Kristina Reports on Monday, December 18, 2023, that he is also a victim of men of the underworld.

“On Sunday, 10th December, before the break of dawn, robbers broke into my house, stole four phones, four power banks, stole all the ATM cards and withdrew all the money in it.”

“They carried my wife’s wrapper worth N40,000, her bags and jewelries, our voter’s cards and my clergy crest. Till today, we have searched and we still haven’t found those items. We don’t know who they are, we don’t know where they are from.”

Speaking also, a trader who resides in Ekerekana Community related to newsmen that thieves broke into her shop and carted away with all her money and valuables worth thousands of naira.

She also related to Kristina reports that efforts she made to recover her goods proved futile as the authorities have done little or nothing about the situation.

A fishmonger residing in Ibuluya Dikibo-Ama, Helen Tamunokuro told Kristina Reports that citizens do not feel safe anymore.

“The one wey dey pain me be say even plantain for your compound wey you say make e mature make you and your children eat am sef, they go thief am.”

“See my fish customer wey dey set nkata (fish trap), e go suffer inside that salt water set nkata, only for fish and crab to enter, before e go go check, them don pour everything go, e no good like that.”

A banker who preferred anonymity told newsmen that these underworld citizens has also applied physical abuse.

“Thieves broke into my friend’s house, they took her phones, her laptop, ATMs and other valuables and still gave her lashes on her back. As we speak, she’s in the hospital.”

Responding to Kristina Reports enquiry over the telephone on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, the Chairman of Okrika LGA, Akuro Tobin expressed pain over the situation, pointing out that criminal activities are prevalent across the country and not exclusive to only Okrika.

He, however, assured that his administration is working in concert with the various security agencies to curb the menace with a view to making Okrika LGA a safe haven for residence and business.

Efforts by Kristina Reports to get the reaction of the Rivers State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer proved abortive as at press time.