ORO MEDIA PROFESSIONALS DECRIES INCESSANT PIRACY ATTACKS ON ORO - CALABAR WATERWAYS



~Call on all paramount rulers, Obio Ifong Isong Oro and the youth bodies to rise up and save our land ~~

The Oro Media Professionals has condemned in its entirety the increasing rate of sea piracy and insecurity on the waterways of Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers State.
 
We condemn in strong terms all sea robberies particularly the recent attacks of those travelling in the creeks of Calabar to Oron , and we call on all those engaged in the act to rethink and stop the barbaric, criminal acts in the interest of humanity.

In a trending video seen on social media on Saturday, July 16, 2022, suspected sea pirates have  kidnapped male occupants of a boat ferrying passengers from Calabar to Oron. The passengers in the video were pleading for help and asking for rescue. 

The assailants who left behind all the female passengers, including a Catholic nun, were said to have waylaid the boat a few minutes after it had left Calabar enroute to Oron, Akwa Ibom State.

Just about two (2) weeks, about nineteen (19) outboard engines seized from fishermen thereby leaving victims stranded, in perpetual hardship and unbearable suffering, a true indication of the high cost of fish and crayfish in our land. 

The waterways which have seen increased patronage due to the deplorable state of the Calabar-Itu road have witnessed a spate of pirate attacks that have left passengers and commuters worried.

Governments need to pursue all possible options in order to re-establish safety and stability in the Oron - Calabar waterways, which is one of Nigeria’s most strategically important waterways.

While we commend the efforts of both the Federal and State Government in tackling this ugly menace, we demand the establishment of coast guards to police waterways, particularly in areas not adequately policed by security agencies. In addition, the issue of community policing should be seen in practical terms rather than only in concept and a things of the lips.

Also, a more robust and effective vigilance group should be formally established to assist and complement the security agencies.

It is surprising that all the numerous youths groups in Oro land, have not been involved in the effort to bring down these ugly incidents in the state. The energy of youths, if left unutilized in positive ways, could be directed into negative, harmful use.

The most formidable youth group in the land, the Oro Youths Movement, Oro International youth Forum, Essu Nlap Oro, Oron Union Youth Wing, etc, should work in close relationship with government and security agencies to come up with lasting solution; to ensure the effectiveness of vigilantees in our creeks and communities.

Since security should be the concern of all in the society, we urge the Government and security agencies in the state not to leave out communities in fashioning out effective strategies to bring about lasting solution; all critical stakeholders should be involved, including community structures, and retired military/security personnel.

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