Community leader Mr. Dagogo Tamuno-Tonye has called on the Nigerian government to take urgent action to address the increasing crime rate on Bonny Island in Rivers State. In a recent interview with journalists in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, Tamuno-Tonye expressed concerns over the rising levels of insecurity in the area. He attributed the problem to weaknesses in security operations, including poor response to distress calls, which he believes is undermining efforts to combat crimes.
The community leader alleged that the proliferation of arms and youth addiction to drugs are significant contributors to the insecurity on the Island. He noted that the people of Bonny Kingdom are now lamenting over rising criminal activities, illicit firearms, and drug abuse among youths. Tamuno-Tonye urged the government to step up security operations on the Island to tackle the security challenges in the area.
Tamuno-Tonye expressed particular concern over the Finima axis of the community, where unauthorized firearms are circulating, contributing to criminal activities. He called for intensified operations to trace and recover illegal weapons reportedly acquired during previous tensions in the area. The community leader believes that a comprehensive security review of Bonny is necessary to address the issue.
The community leader 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. He also urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), to urgently intervene in the alarming drug and substance abuse among youths in the kingdom.
According to Tamuno-Tonye, the alleged drug problem requires intensified intelligence-led enforcement, prevention campaigns, and rehabilitation programs to prevent substance abuse from fueling further criminality and social disorder. He 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.
Tamuno-Tonye emphasized that Bonny can no longer afford a reactive security approach. He urged authorities to conduct a comprehensive security audit and overhaul aimed at tightening surveillance, dismantling criminal networks, recovering illicit firearms, and restoring public confidence. The community leader believes that an urgent overhaul of the security architecture in Bonny Island is necessary to enhance the safety of lives and property.
The community has called on the government to take proper steps to ensure that illegal firearms are mopped up in the community to reduce the rate of crimes in the area. The situation on Bonny Island highlights the need for a proactive and comprehensive approach to addressing insecurity and the proliferation of arms in the region.
Key points
- The community leader, Mr. Dagogo Tamuno-Tonye, has urged the government to intervene in the rising crime waves and proliferation of arms on Bonny Island.
- The proliferation of arms and youth addiction to drugs are significant contributors to the insecurity on the Island.
- The community leader has called for a comprehensive security review of Bonny Island to address the security challenges in the area.
