Port Harcourt—The city once hailed as Nigeria’s “Garden City” is now gripped by an alarming wave of insecurity, as residents raise concerns over a surge in armed robbery, cult-related violence, kidnappings, and youth restiveness. As the situation worsens, community elders and security experts are calling for urgent, strategic intervention to restore peace and stability.
In an interview with The Chronicle, Elder Chief Maxwell Ogbonna, a respected traditional leader from Diobu, lamented the city’s declining security and described it as a threat to both social harmony and economic activity.
“Back in the ’70s and ’80s, Port Harcourt was peaceful—a city of gardens, music, and ambition,” Chief Ogbonna said. “Today, fear is our constant companion. Even something as simple as an evening walk has become perilous.”
He attributed the surge in violence to systemic neglect and the manipulation of the youth by criminal elements and political actors.
“Our youths are being misled and weaponized by unscrupulous individuals. They must realize that they are the architects of their own future and must reject cultism, drugs, and violence,” he urged.
Chief Ogbonna also highlighted the broader economic fallout, pointing out that businesses are closing, and residents are relocating to safer areas.
“Our once-thriving night economy has vanished. This is not the Port Harcourt we toiled to build,” he added.
He called for a revival of community-based security structures and stronger collaboration between state authorities and traditional institutions.
“Local chiefs and vigilante groups must be empowered. We know our communities and can help protect them if given the proper legal support and resources,” he said.
Offering a broader analytical perspective, security consultant Mr. Darlington Chukwu emphasized that the root causes of the insecurity run deeper than mere criminality.
“Unemployment, poor governance, and a lack of civic awareness are breeding frustration and lawlessness,” Chukwu noted. “But more concerning is the widespread mistrust in the police and judicial systems, which has eroded public confidence.”
He warned that politically sensitive periods, such as elections, could further inflame tensions without urgent reforms.
“Elections often act as catalysts in volatile environments. Without preventive strategies and grassroots engagement, we risk an explosion of politically motivated violence,” he cautioned.
Mr. Chukwu advocated for a holistic and multi-layered approach to tackling insecurity, centered on improved policing, judicial reform, and youth empowerment.
“Security reform must be intelligence-driven and community-based. But more importantly, we must redirect the energy of our youth through vocational training, mentorship, and micro-financing. These initiatives can create pathways out of poverty and violence,” he said.
In a final appeal to Port Harcourt’s youth, Mr. Chukwu urged them to resist being exploited for political gain and instead become drivers of positive change.
“Don’t be used as pawns in political games. Violence is not empowerment—it’s entrapment. Equip yourself with skills, seek knowledge, and claim your rightful role in shaping Port Harcourt’s future. The city needs your strength, not your silence,” he concluded.
As insecurity continues to cast a shadow over Port Harcourt, voices across the spectrum are calling for a return to peace, guided by community partnership and youth-driven
