Etche stakeholders lament land grabbing, herdsmen attacks, say residents now “sleep with one eye open”

This was contained in a statement by the media aide to the Rivers state Sole Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo.

 According to the statement, the stakeholders expressed the regret when the Administrator, represented by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju visited the LGA to assess the security situation and engage with stakeholders on pressing challenges facing the community.

It stated that the Administrator of Etche LGA, Hon. Onyenachi Nwankwor, while speaking at the event expressed deep concern over rising criminality, land disputes, and herdsmen invasions, which have made farming and movement unsafe.

 It also said that Silas Anyanwu, President-General of Ogbakor Etche, lamented that residents now “sleep with one eye open” due to herdsmen attacks, citing an incident where an Apara man was assaulted for refusing to pay a N6,000 fee to access his farmland.

It further said Chief Joseph Amaechi criticized the repeated absence of Miyetti Allah leadership at security meetings, calling it a deliberate slight.

According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police,reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged the community to establish internal security measures while collaborating with law enforcement.

On Herdsmen Crisis, the CP assured that the police would intensify surveillance and engage with relevant stakeholders, including Miyetti Allah, to address the menace.

On Community Policing, he urged residents to report security breaches promptly and work closely with security agencies.

The statement said, ”The visit, which included interactive sessions with traditional leaders, youth representatives, women groups, and security agencies, highlighted critical issues affecting Etche, including insecurity, land disputes, infrastructure decay, unemployment, and the menace of herdsmen”.