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.
PDP chieftain
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.
