Oseremen said cases of abduction have increased in recent times, causing fear among residents and weakening trust between communities and the police. He explained that senior police officers in the affected areas have also expressed concern about the fragile relationship with locals, noting that the problem has persisted despite changes in leadership and interventions.
According to him, the security challenge did not start suddenly but has grown over the years due to unresolved issues. He traced part of the problem to the presence of armed groups operating from forest areas. He explained that some herders who were once allowed to live peacefully within communities later moved deeper into the forests, where large settlements were established beyond the reach of regular security patrols.
He said members of the community have come across these settlements during local patrols, raising worries about criminal hideouts being used to plan attacks. Oseremen recalled that the crisis first became serious in Urum, where public attention and the efforts of vigilante groups helped reduce incidents. However, he noted that criminal activities later shifted to Ekpoma, where kidnappings are now reported almost daily.
He added that even after residents recently staged a protest over insecurity, another abduction was reported the following day, showing that the problem remains unresolved. Oseremen warned that continued violence could further damage relations between the people and security agencies if urgent action is not taken.
He called on the government and security authorities to respond swiftly by addressing the root causes of the insecurity, clearing criminal camps in forest areas, and restoring safety across Esanland and nearby communities.
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