Rivers elders decry increase in kidnapping

PORT HARCOURT— Rivers State Elders have expressed worry over the rising cases of kidnapping in Port Harcourt and related issues of insecurity.

*Militants

Chairman, Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council, RELEC, Chief Albert Horsfall, who spoke to newsmen at the end of a meeting of the body in Port Harcourt, said the deplorable state of insecurity had forced many not to travel to their villages.

He enjoined government and security agencies to rise up to the task of securing lives and property.

“So, we ask the Rivers State authorities, the Police and all security agencies to put their acts together and act more firmly and decisively against the issue of insecurity in Rivers State.”

He also kicked against appointment of non indigenes into political offices in the state, adding that the government should also discourage award of scholarship to non Rivers indigenes.

According to the elders, the government should consider sons and daughters of the state for political appointment, adding that in the award of scholarships, Rivers indigenes should be the beneficiaries.