09/03/2026
OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE BY THE ILOTOMBI YOUTH FORUM (IYF) ON THE HEIGHTENED INSECURITY IN ILOTOMBI TOWN AND ITS NEIGHBOURING COMMUNITIES IN ANDONI LGA, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA ON 6TH MARCH, 2026.
PREAMBLE
We, the youths of Ilotombi Community, having convened today, wish to address the public regarding the escalating insecurity and threats to lives and property over the past three months in Ilotombi Town and neighbouring communities within the Andoni mainland, stretching to Oyorokoto and beyond.
After careful deliberation on recent developments, we hereby present the following resolutions:
1. That we, the peaceful people of Ilotombi Town, unequivocally condemn the ongoing and senseless killings in Andoni, particularly in Ilotombi Town and Agwut-Obolo.
2. We are deeply outraged by the brutal assassination of Chief Alfred Etete Otobo-Alama, JP, who was killed in broad daylight on Friday, 27th February 2026, by yet-to-be-identified assailants.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Chief and the people of Agwut-Obolo Community over this tragic loss. We strongly call for justice and urge that all those involved in carrying out this heinous act be swiftly apprehended for thorough investigation and made to face the full weight of the law.
3. Information linking some individuals from Ilotombi to the recent incidents in parts of Andoni mainland have unfortunately contributed to threats against the lives and property of the peaceful people of Ilotombi Town. Ilotombi remains a peaceful community that upholds harmony and maintains cordial relations with all neighbouring communities and has ever and will never support anyone or group of people in an unjust course, nor do any part of Ilotombi leaderships from traditional council of chiefs, CDC or youth body supporting illegal or cult related activities.
4. These hoodlums have repeatedly infiltrated and operated within Ilotombi and surrounding fishing settlements such as Opuwari down to Oyorokoto, attempting to use these areas as operational hideouts, which has endangered the lives of the people within these environments and also affected their source of livelihood, despite genuine community efforts to curb their activities.
It is important to emphasize that no segment of our community leadership has ever supported, shielded, or condoned the activities of these hoodlums. Rather, the community has consistently reported these concerns to the appropriate authorities and appealed for urgent security intervention.
5. Ilotombi Town has never been a haven for criminals and cannot become one now or in the future. We are a peaceful and law-abiding community, a fact that other communities across Andoni can readily attest to. Unfortunately, in recent times, cult-related activities and other criminal acts carried out by groups of youths allegedly from various communities in the area have generated serious unrest.
As a peaceful community without the capacity to directly confront these armed criminal elements who occasionally infiltrate and operate within our town, we have been left vulnerable and in urgent need of government protection.
6. We acknowledge the Executive Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Prince Lucky Promise Otuo, for the curfew recently imposed to help restore peace and order, as well as his recent visit to Agwut-Obolo and Ilotombi in response to the prevailing security concerns. His presence and engagement with some community delegates are appreciated and seen as a demonstration of concern by the local government authority.
We respectfully urge that security patrols be intensified, sustained, and extended from Ilotombi through Otudong to Oyorokoto in order to ensure the protection of lives and property across these areas. We hope these efforts will translate into sustained collaboration with relevant security agencies to ensure lasting peace and security for our communities.
7. As a community, we reiterate our urgent call on His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State; the Andoni Local Government Council led by Hon. Prince Lucky Promise Otuo; the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); the Nigerian Army; and the Nigerian Navy to urgently assist in apprehending those responsible for these crimes and restoring peace and order in our communities.
8. We further appeal to the government to establish a security base within our area to strengthen monitoring, surveillance, and intelligence gathering across the LGA. Given our strategic position at the mainland end of Andoni, such a facility would significantly enhance coordinated security operations and rapid response efforts.
9. Our enduring interest remains the peaceful coexistence of all Obolo towns and villages, anchored on unity, peace, and progress for the collective good of our people.
CONCLUSION
In light of the foregoing, we reiterate our condemnation of violence, our call for justice for the late Chief Alfred Etete Otobo-Alama, JP, and our appeal for immediate government intervention to restore safety and peace in Ilotombi and surrounding communities.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and the well-being of all communities within Andoni Local Government Area.
Signed:
1. Pst. Awaji-Inomida M. Warribo,
IYF President
2. Hon. Awaji-Ikansan Unwene,
IYF Vice President.
