Members of crisis ravaged Obelle Community in Emohua Local Government of Rivers State have cried out to the state and federal government for urgent help to both the state and federal government.
The crisis has sent all the community members packing and the community is now home to overgrown grasses, thick bush and reptiles as no one lives or does any activity there anymore.
Since February 2022, the community has been at the mercy of some cult boys who have unleashed unabashed, terror and horror on the once thriving and quiet community, destroying both lives and property.
The community is today lying desolate as members were forced to abandon their homes and farmlands in search of safety in neighbouring communities to avoid being swallowed by an unending rampage which has left no less than 44 persons dead and many homes razed.
National Point investigations revealed that traumatized by the attacks, community stakeholders have been frantically working to put an end to the crisis but it has not been easy.
Meanwhile, forced to live as refugees in other lands, frustration, anger especially over killings and hunger are now trademarks of the community people.
Mrs Ngozi Nyemuonwu, former vice chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, told this publication that the lingering crisis has caused the community a lot of losses.
“We have suffered much. Many have died because of frustration and many houses have been destroyed. The crisis has caused us to abandon the community leaving our homes and farms.”
She said it has caused, “so much hunger, anger” and expressed worry that the effect will even cause more damage.
“You know our community is a farming community but nobody is going to the farm. This crisis started in February; that is when the farming season starts, some people had started clearing but now all that was abandoned.
“Nobody is farming and that means no harvest for next year. There is hunger, serious hunger,” she added.
The former LGA vice chairman is luckier than some as she has children who are already grown up. A majority of Obelle women are saddled with the burden of having to fend for four to six little children at a time of skyrocketing food prices and squatting with relatives and friends in other communities in tha absence of a means of livelihood.
A worried Ngozi has called on the state and federal government to urgently step in and help Obelle Community resolve the crisis and restore peace.
“We need peace and shelter for those whose homes have been destroyed. The local, state and federal government to come to our rescue.”
Another mother, Evelyn Onyeka told this publication that things are really bad,
Said From January to date she, “We are really, really suffering. Each morning you see women on hired bicycles and motorbikes going out in search of food. We have no money, no farm. Some of us are in Isiokpo, Elele, neighbouring towns and we have to find food,
”Any day we see we eat. Some days we have garri, others rice, some nothing. We live from day to day. It is worse for women with little children”, she pointed out.
Evelyn said Obelle children have lost opportunity to school being displaced as parents do not have money for registration. She called for government intervention to stop the crisis so life can go back to normal and students back to school in September.
“From January till date, no money. Our children are not able to go to school as there is no money to register them where we are. We are hoping that they will go back in September.
“Please talk to our councilor, council chairman to help us,” the harassed mother pleaded.
Another concerned member, Mr Festus Mark told National Point in a telephone chat that things have been rough with community members but added that efforts are seriously on to bring about much needed peace.
“Right now, we are having interface with those concerned,” he said adding, “this has caused us a lot”.
“There is too much hunger as there is no farming going on. People have been displaced and people are angry with each other,” he stated.
He however said the council chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd has been supportive.
Mr Mark confirmed that women and children are worst hit by the Obelle crisis but informed that plans are underway to ensure the people return to their base and the children to their books.
“Since this crisis started we have lost no less than 44 lives and women and children are worst hit. Our children have missed school because of the crisis. Our concern now is how to get our people back to the community and raise little fund for extra mural classes for the children.”
