Delta State, Nigeria – Residents of several communities in Delta State are living in fear as a wave of kidnappings and violent attacks sweeps through the region. In recent months, reports have emerged of brazen assaults by criminal gangs targeting innocent civilians, particularly in rural areas.
One of the hardest-hit communities is Abavo, located in Ika South Local Government Area. In a desperate plea for help, the community leadership has written to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, detailing the “existential threats” they face from “incessant kidnapping, killings and destruction of farmlands.”
The letter, signed by Prince Frank Jegbefume and Mr. Jude Amamosa of the Awu Elites Club, paints a grim picture of the situation. Abavo, a predominantly agricultural community, has seen a sharp rise in kidnappings for ransom along the Warri-Itakpe railway line and the road linking it to neighboring Owa Kingdom.
“The implications of these attacks on our community men and women, if not stopped urgently, are weighty,” the letter states. “Our people are now afraid to go to their farmlands because of these criminals. Agricultural productivity in our community is already low as a result, and it is expected to drop further if nothing is quickly done to arrest the situation.”
The community’s plight is not unique. Residents of other Delta State towns have also reported similar incidents. In Ughelli, nine students were recently kidnapped while traveling along the East-West Road, though they were later released by their captors.
The Delta State Police Command has responded to the crisis by arresting two suspected kidnappers, Peter Idogor (24) and Emmanuel Sunday (19), as well as four alleged cultists. However, many residents feel that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem and ensure their safety.
Governor Oborevwori has yet to publicly comment on the situation, but the people of Delta State are hopeful that he will take decisive action to protect their communities and bring an end to the reign of terror imposed by these criminal elements. As one resident put it, “We need help, and we need it now. How long must we live in fear in our own homes?”
Will the Delta State government be able to stem the tide of kidnappings and restore a sense of security to its citizens? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the people of Delta State are running out of patience and desperately seeking a solution to this growing crisis.
