The rising wave of criminal activities, especially among the youth in Rivers State, has become a major concern for residents, many of whom now live in constant fear.
Increasing reports of theft, robbery, and other petty crimes have cast a dark cloud over communities, particularly in areas like Njemanze Street and Iwofe Road in Port Harcourt.
It appears that the ongoing state of emergency in the state may have inadvertently opened the floodgates for a new chapter of criminality. Victims describe how these crimes are executed swiftly, often leaving them in shock and disbelief.
Mr. George Abu, a resident of Njemanze Street, recounted how his phone was stolen right from his sitting room. “I was reading the newspaper on my veranda, and I left my phone in the sitting room. I stepped away briefly to ease myself, only to return and discover it was gone,” he said.
In a nearby building, another tenant reported the disappearance of his gas cylinder. According to him, the item was used by his wife earlier that morning, but by the time they returned from work in the evening, it had vanished without a trace.
Further down the same street, a shop owner, Madam Kelechi, experienced a similar ordeal. While attending to customers outside her shop, she suddenly realized her Tecno Spark 30 smartphone was missing. Despite being surrounded by people, the theft went unnoticed.
At “Big Tree” bus stop along Iwofe Road, a young lady became another victim. After alighting from a minibus, she discovered that the zip of her side bag had been tampered with. Her phone and money were gone. “It was like a dream,” she said, “I opened my mouth several times, but no words came out.”
More alarming was an incident on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Njemanze Street, Mile 1 Diobu, where three young men reportedly snatched a vehicle at gunpoint. Madam Nnedi Okpara, who witnessed the event, said the suspects had initially pretended to be waiting for a cab. “Before we knew it, they pulled out a gun and took the car,” she recounted.
The residents are growing increasingly anxious about the deteriorating security situation, particularly in Njemanze Street, which many now consider a hotspot for criminal activity. Several locals believe that unless drastic measures are taken, the situation will only worsen.
Many have called on the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibak, to urgently address the growing insecurity and underlying political instability. They argue that the state must focus on creating meaningful job opportunities for young people, as unemployment is a major driver of crime.
If immediate action is not taken, residents fear that even the few remaining investors in the state may soon relocate, further crippling economic growth.
The call is clear: Rivers State needs bold leadership and strategic action to restore safety and rebuild public confidence. The residents hope that the government will act swiftly to bring an end to this wave of criminality and make the state livable once again.
