Amid the escalating spate of kidnappings and insecurity in Idoma land, a passionate call for unity and action has been made by concerned community member, Ojile Ujah Stevens.
In an emotional statement addressed to fellow Idoma sons and daughters, Stevens urged collective responsibility and peaceful collaboration in the face of a growing threat.
“My heart aches with yours over the recent acts of violence plaguing our homeland,” Stevens began.
“These kidnappings are not just attacks on individuals but on the very fabric of our unity.”
Highlighting the limitations faced by local community leaders, Stevens cautioned against placing undue blame on those working within their constraints.
Instead, he called on citizens to understand the broader scope of Nigeria’s national insecurity crisis.
“Our community leaders share our pain and I believe they are tirelessly advocating for solutions within their means, engaging security agencies, mobilizing local vigilance, and amplifying our cries for help,” he stated.
“Yet, we must recognize that no single community can single-handedly dismantle the sophisticated networks driving this national crisis.”
Stevens stressed that it is beyond the capacity of local leaders to tackle armed criminal gangs without significant state and federal intervention.
He emphasized the need to redirect public frustration toward demanding constitutional action from higher authorities.
“Insecurity has gripped all of Nigeria. Our community leaders lack the military-grade tools or federal authority needed to confront armed gangs. Blaming them distracts from the real responsibility,” he warned.
“Demanding urgent intervention from both state and federal governments, whose constitutional duty is to protect lives, is what we must all do.”
Calling for calm and collaboration, Stevens appealed to residents to actively participate in safeguarding their communities by reporting suspicious activity and supporting neighborhood security efforts with vital information.
He urged three specific actions:
- Reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.
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Supporting local vigilance efforts with information, not accusations.
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Petitioning Governor Hyacinth Alia and National Assembly representatives to deploy specialized security units to Idoma land.
Referencing the resilient spirit of their forebears, Stevens concluded with an inspiring message of hope: “Our ancestors overcame greater trials through solidarity. This too shall pass if we stand together.”
The letter, signed by Stevens, who holds a B.Sc and a Master’s Degree in Disaster Risk Management from Ahmadu Bello University, and is currently pursuing a PhD, has begun circulating across community forums, sparking conversations about grassroots mobilization and institutional responsibility.
As Idoma land continues to battle with threats to safety and unity, many see this call as a timely reminder that healing and protection require both top-down action and bottom-up solidarity.