DOPF tasks law enforcement agencies to mitigate rising insecurity in Delta State

Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) has  expressed  grave concern over the alarming increase in kidnapping incidents and herder attacks in Delta State, particularly Delta Central and Delta North and therefore called  on  Nigerian Police Force and all relevant security agencies to intensify their efforts in curbing these menaces that threaten the peace and security of the  communities in the state.

In a statement signed by Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, Chairman, DOPF and Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, Secretary DOPF, which was made available to PEBNEWS, appealed  to the state government to support security agencies with logistics to  curb  the rising case of  attacks in the affected areas.

Recall  that there has been a disturbing surge in kidnapping activities, particularly in state major highways, Sapele-Effurrun Road, the East-West Road between Agbarho and Ughelli and between Ughelli/Patani in recent times. There hardly a day passes without reported cases of kidnap and armed robbery attacks on  people  in these  routes. Travelling through these roads is like daring one's  fate because it takes a miracle to pass unhurt.

A once peaceful community, Egbo-Urhe in the Ughelli South Local Government Area is  currently under siege by kidnappers. No place is safe: from Ughelli to Effurun, Sapele, Oghara, Abraka down to  Agbor as kidnappers pick their victims like  hawks to chickens. Families are living in fear, businesses are suffering, and the overall safety of the citizens  is at stake.

 According to the statement, DOPF therefore called on  the Inspector General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police to deploy additional security personnel to man the  affected areas to ensure the protection of lives and property. 

According to the statement, it  is imperative that swift and decisive action is taken to dismantle these criminal networks and restore confidence in the  security apparatus.

DOPF also appealed  to the State Government to support the security agencies with logistics and other tools to enhance intelligence gathering and community policing initiatives, which are crucial in preventing these crimes before they occur. The collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups should be strengthened to create a formidable defence against these threats.

Furthermore, the DOPF calls on the State Government to engage in meaningful dialogue with herder communities to address the underlying issues contributing to these attacks.

According to the statement,  sustainable solutions must be found to foster peaceful coexistence and prevent future conflicts adding that today, most  Deltans  face  starvation because the rural communities  cannot  go to their farms  because of the fear of being attacked.

The statement further said, the safety and security of the  citizens are paramount, and the body  must all work together to put an end to these acts of violence and ensure a safe and prosperous Delta State.