The small community of Ette, situated on the border of Enugu and Kogi states in Nigeria, has been grappling with a multitude of challenges, with the most pressing being the prevalence of criminal activities, particularly kidnapping. The community, which has long been neglected in terms of infrastructural development, is now a hotspot for criminal activities, its residents living in fear. In this report, Juliet Jacob Ochenje sheds light on the plight of the people of Ette and the urgent need for intervention to address the prevailing issues.
Ette, a once-thriving community, has suffered from internal disputes that have left its roads in deplorable condition, contributing to the growth of criminal activities, particularly kidnapping. The absence of proper infrastructure and the bad state of the roads have not only made transportation through the area difficult but have also created an environment conducive to criminal activities. The community is virtually inaccessible due to the poor road condition, making it an ideal haven for criminal elements.
The internal disputes among the three major speaking languages in the community – Idoma, Igala, and Igbo – have further exacerbated the precarious situation in Ette. The struggle for power and control among the different groups has led to the destruction of worship centres and schools, depriving many residents of access to education and spiritual guidance.
In response to the deteriorating situation in Ette, our correspondent, visited the community and spoke with some locals, as well as teachers who have experienced the harsh realities of living and working in the area. Their stories paint a grim picture of the challenges faced by the community.
One of indigenes of the Ette community, who chose to remain anonymous, shared a heartbreaking account of how the poor road condition have turned him and his family into hostages in their own homes. “We are prisoners in our own home,” he lamented. “The bad state of the roads has made it almost impossible for us to leave the community.”
He expressed frustration with the lack of support from the government, highlighting the neglect and indifference that have contributed to their dire circumstances. “We are staying in a sensitive community where we have factions of people with diverse interests,” he said. “The government of Enugu State wanted to do the road during the time of Governor Sullivan Chime, but at that time there was agitation, a sort of crisis in the community where some people said that they were Kogi State residents while others said that they were with Enugu State, so that brought a lot of attention that led to the killing of people and burning of houses.
“When Governor Chime drafted tractors, Caterpillars, and machines to tile the road, the pro-Kogi people stopped the project and said they didn’t want anything from Enugu State to the extent that the engines of some of the tractors that were stationed on the road were raised with salt. Out of anger, frustration and annoyance, the contractors removed their machines from the road and that was how the road was left undone till now, and with the nature of the bad road kidnappers are capitalising on it, and they operate on it daily.
“When the crisis started initially, they shut down schools, health centers, and even churches, especially the catholic church that is under the dioceses of Nsukka. They sent the parish priest away because they didn’t want anything from that side,” he stated with palpable disappointment.
“So, it was a busy kind of atmosphere before the crisis, if you come to Ette at the time, especially from that side, it was really busy, we had the development center, model secondary school, a filling station along that axis. People were buying and selling, hawking their goods but because of the crisis, it devastated almost every part of the community. People ran away. The LGA office that was operating in one of the buildings had to relocate to Hagi community even though the police station was shut down.”
The community’s neglect by the government has left them vulnerable to criminal activities, with kidnappers taking advantage of the bad road conditions to operate with impunity.
In an interview with African Health Report, (AHR), Mr. Christen Abah, a dedicated teacher at Ette Community Secondary School for several years, shared his concerns about the impact of the bad roads and the internal disputes on the education system.
“The destruction of schools in the community has deprived many children of their right to education,” he said. “The lack of access to quality education has serious implications for the future of these children and the development of the entire community.”
Abah expressed concerns about the safety of the students and staff due to the community’s increased susceptibility to criminal activities. “The bad roads have made the transportation of students and staff to and from the school unsafe,” he emphasised. “The fear of kidnapping and violence loom over us daily, affecting the overall learning and teaching environment.”
He said despite the partial reopening of the school after the internal dispute, the community has not recovered from its challenges, “For instance, you see this Ette Community Secondary School where I teach is very close to the bad roads where Kidnappers always carry out their operations. So out of fear, some of the parents have withdrawn their children from our school, sometimes I will just come to school in the morning and meet just two or three students. As teachers, we still have to teach them not to mind their numbers.”
The untold stories of the people of Ette serve as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of neglect and lack of infrastructure on the safety and well-being of a community. The people of Ette are in urgent need of support and intervention to counter the precarious situation they find themselves in. The neglect and indifference shown to the community have left its residents living in fear and uncertainty, with their lives and livelihoods at stake.
The Reporter’s Reflection:
As I left Ette, I couldn’t help but reflect on the resilience and hope that still flickers in the hearts of the people. Increased awareness and attention to their plight are crucial to ensuring that the people of Ette receive the much-needed support to rebuild and restore their community. The time to act is now before more lives are shattered and more dreams are lost in the darkness of neglect and indifference.
The plight of the people of Ette is a stark reminder of the urgent need for intervention to address the prevailing challenges in the community. The neglect and lack of infrastructure have left the community vulnerable to criminal activities, particularly kidnappings, and have deprived its residents of access to education and essential services. The relevant authorities and stakeholders must take immediate action to support the people of Ette and restore hope to their people.
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