The President General of the Ogbakor-Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Godspower Onuekwa, has raised concerns over increasing attacks and kidnappings by suspected bandits in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, Onuekwa said armed groups have taken control of forested areas within the council, carrying out repeated assaults on residents in communities such as Igwuruta, Omademe, and Omagwa.

He warned that the situation has deteriorated in recent weeks, with residents living in fear due to the presence of heavily armed attackers.

According to him, the affected communities are in proximity to the Port Harcourt International Airport, raising concerns about broader security implications.

Onuekwa cited an incident on April 8 in which a couple was abducted. He said efforts by local vigilante members to rescue the victims were thwarted after they were confronted by a large number of armed men.

He added that the attackers later abducted the leader of the vigilante group, identified as Collins, after overpowering the team.

Efforts to obtain official responses were unsuccessful, as the Rivers State Police spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, did not respond to calls or messages, while the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Information, Sirawoo Honour, had yet to provide comments as of press time.

The community leader called on government authorities to urgently deploy security forces to the area to restore order and protect residents.

Recent incidents of violence in the state include the killing of a woman and the shooting of a traditional ruler in separate attacks reported in recent weeks.