₦airaland Forum

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Mr. Oke Umurhohwo, has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to take urgent and decisive action to curb the rising wave of kidnappings, herdsmen attacks and general insecurity ravaging parts of the state, particularly Abraka and Uwheru.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, Umurhohwo warned that the deteriorating security situation is plunging communities into fear, paralyzing education and agriculture and threatening to spiral into broader conflict if left unchecked.

“Abraka, which hosts Delta State University, has become a hotbed for criminal activity. Residents are fleeing, academic activities have been suspended and farmers are abandoning their lands out of fear,” he said.

Umurhohwo pointed to recent incidents that have further exposed the gravity of the crisis. On May 30, security forces, including the police, vigilantes and hunters, reportedly killed four suspected kidnappers in Abraka and recovered weapons, including an AK-47 rifle. However, the situation escalated on June 5 when suspected kidnappers ambushed security operatives near the Makati Bichi railway station, allegedly killing two personnel.

He also condemned the killing of young media personality Marcus Samuel Dafe on June 4, barely days after he publicly protested against insecurity in the area. “His death is symbolic of the dangers our people face daily and a reminder that this situation is far from being under control,” Umurhohwo added.

He decried reports of violence during protests in Abraka, where security forces allegedly fired on unarmed demonstrators. Delta State University subsequently suspended academic activities on June 5 in response to the unrest.

The statement also highlighted ongoing attacks in Uwheru, Ughelli North, where armed herdsmen have continued to invade communities like Agadama and Ohoror, killing residents, destroying crops and demanding ransoms from farmers. Similar incidents, including kidnappings and cult-related violence, have been reported in other parts of the state, including Issele-Azagba and Ubulu-Uku.

Umurhohwo further warned that the failure of government to maintain basic security infrastructure is emboldening criminal elements. He also raised concerns over emerging ethnic tensions in Abraka following the killing of suspected kidnappers said to be of Hausa origin.

"In a multicultural Nigeria where Nigerians have been living together in peace, the governor's laid back approach can make the issue escalate further."

He shared six steps that Governor Sheriff can get ahead of the issue:

1. Deploy more security forces to Abraka, equipped with drones, CCTV, and modern surveillance tools;

2. Launch targeted operations to dislodge armed herdsmen from farmlands in Uwheru and beyond;

3. Fund and train local vigilante groups to complement formal security structures;

4. Establish a dedicated task force to tackle kidnapping, cultism, and armed militias across ungoverned territories;

5. Invest in job creation, rural development, and environmental restoration to address root causes of insecurity;

6. Investigate alleged misconduct by security operatives, particularly the reported attack on protesters in Abraka.

Umurhohwo said his call is driven by a duty to the people of Delta State.

“When lives are being lost and communities are under siege, silence is not an option. We need urgent action from those tasked with safeguarding the citizens. Delta deserves better,” he said.

TrackerSK:
Insecurity everywhere and APC is still campaigning for 2027.Nigeria politicians are the luckiest in the world because the masses are so dumb.

TrackerSK:
Insecurity everywhere and APC is still campaigning for 2027.Nigeria politicians are the luckiest in the world because the masses are so dumb.

Brendaniel:
Delta state is now APC, the devil comes to steal to kill and to destroy...

In my life I've never seen a politician as heartless and wicked as Tinubu...

3nity7:
Instead of Sheriff to fix this Herdsmen menace he is jumping from one party to another. Shame on him.

princepee:
the governor have joined APC, he is now deaf , blind and dumb.
The fulanis are carrying out their agenda all over Nigeria and our people are still playing politics...
Politics with people life.
And when the people fight back they'll say they are hunters.

Wake up southern Nigeria before it's too late.

3nity7:
No the Masses are not dumb. The Masses have had enough. What do you want them to do? Protest? Didn't you see the lekki killing and arresting of Protesters? Some are still in police custody since 2020. You sponsor protests your account will be freezed. The last protest in Delta state, the heavy armed security personnel were everywhere, some protesters were beaten. Who want to go and protest again and loose his life for Nigeria that won't remember you? Protests doesn't work on Nigeria government most especially APC government. The citizens are powerless. Even our voting right, our power to choose a credible leader has been taken away from us, what do you want us to do?

ArinzeAnthony03:
This means, to be APC member is to officially invite herdsmen to you State...just yesterday that he decamped and today herdsmen every where without saying anything.

Will he say something...no

Why, because his master will not support his second term ambition.

The South is GONE.