How Insecurity Drives South-East Indigenes to Relocate to Asaba
Due to the escalating insecurity affecting the South-East region, many residents have been forced to flee their homes in search of safer locations. This has led to a significant migration of South-East indigenes to neighboring states, particularly Asaba, where they feel more secure.
The surge in violence, driven by armed groups, cultists, and kidnappers, has caused fear and panic among the population. The unrest has disrupted businesses, schools, and daily life, with the situation worsening in Anambra and Imo states, though other South-East regions are also affected to varying degrees.
According to recent reports, micro businesses in the South-East lost an estimated N4.618 trillion ($10.495 billion) in just one year due to the sit-at-home orders imposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). With the violence showing no signs of abating, many individuals have begun relocating to safer areas to safeguard their lives and livelihoods.
Asaba and Surrounding Areas Offering Refuge
One such individual is Eloka Obi, a businessman who recently moved his family and building materials business from Awka to Asaba. Eloka explained that it had become common for people to avoid crossing the Niger Bridge on Mondays due to the rise in criminal activities on that day. “People now travel a day earlier or wait until Tuesday. Criminals use Mondays to operate freely in the South-East,” he said.
Asaba’s increasing popularity among South-East indigenes is due to its proximity to Onitsha, a major business hub, and its safer environment. “Living in places like Delta, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom has become more appealing than staying in the South-East,” Eloka added.
Local Leaders Weigh In on the Migration Trend
The monarch of a South-East community expressed support for the relocation trend, emphasizing that if one’s home is no longer safe, it is only logical to seek refuge elsewhere. He pointed out that Delta, while geographically separated by the River Niger, is still part of Igbo land, and thus there is no issue with relocating there.
The President of the Igbo Women Assembly, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, also weighed in, affirming that Delta has long been a destination for South-East indigenes. She noted that Asaba’s strategic location, close to Onitsha and serving as a gateway to the West, has made it an attractive place for businesses and investors.
However, she lamented the negative effects of the heavy security presence in the South-East, which, instead of providing safety, has become a tool for extortion and has slowed down business activities in the region. “The multiple checkpoints on our roads are crippling businesses and driving youths away,” she said.
Anambra’s Efforts to Tackle Insecurity
In response to the growing insecurity, the Anambra State government, led by Governor Charles Soludo, has launched a new security initiative called ‘Udo Ga Achi’ (Operation Peace Shall Reign). This initiative, which began in January, aims to restore peace in the region by deploying advanced surveillance technologies, branded vehicles for stop-and-search activities, and training forest guards to collaborate
