Appreciation to the Paramount Ruler of Edepie Community for Championing the Fight Against Crime

On behalf of the residents of Comrade Inko Brightstar Road (Pipeline Residence) in Edepie Community, I extend my profound appreciation to His Highness, Chief Shadrach Tivie, the Paramount Ruler of Edepie, for his commendable and courageous efforts in combating crime and criminality within our community.

This recognition is borne out of His Highness’s decisive action which led to the identification and arrest of individuals involved in the theft and vandalization of NDDC solar-powered street lights mounted within our community. It would be recalled that I had earlier raised an alarm concerning the incessant disappearance of these solar installations—particularly around Pipeline Residence and Chief Okpoi Street in Edepie. At that time, I strongly urged the government to actively collaborate with community leaders to safeguard government-installed projects. I also made it clear that any community that fails to protect government assets does not deserve further development interventions.

To my utmost surprise, I recently received a call informing me that two youths from the Edepie community had been apprehended in connection with the solar light thefts. This swift and courageous move by the paramount ruler is highly laudable. In my over 30 years of residing in Yenagoa, I have observed a consistent trend where many communities (with the notable exception of Okutukutu) tend to shield their indigenes from justice, even when implicated in clear acts of wrongdoing.

His Highness, Chief Shadrach Tivie, has shown rare leadership and integrity—qualities that are desperately needed to restore sanity and security in our communities. With this bold action, I am now confident that Edepie is well on its way to becoming the second crime-free community in the entire Epie/Atissa Kingdom, within Yenagoa Local Government Area.

I use this opportunity once again to appeal to the Bayelsa State Government to forge stronger partnerships with traditional rulers and community leaders in the ongoing fight against crime and the protection of public infrastructure across the state.

Thank you very much, Your Highness, for your leadership. I pray that God grants you wisdom, divine guidance, and protection as you continue to lead your people to greater heights. ALUA!

Warm regards, Chief Gen. WhoKnows Tomorrow Chairman, Inko Brightstar Road (Edepie Community)