NUJ Warri raises alarm over Nationwide insecurity, cult killings, police extortion in Delta

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, has raised serious concerns over the worsening insecurity across the country, rising cult-related killings in Warri, alleged police extortion and the growing abuse of social media by political actors.

The concerns were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Chapel’s monthly congress held on Wednesday at the NUJ Secretariat in Warri, Delta State.

The communiqué, jointly signed by members of the drafting committee, Matthew Omonigho, Kelvin Meluwa and Elo Edremoda, painted a grim picture of the hardship and fear confronting ordinary Nigerians.

Congress particularly condemned the recent abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools, including a nursery school, in Oyo State by suspected terrorists.

The journalists expressed sadness over reports that one of the teachers was beheaded while the kidnapped children were allegedly being subjected to torture in captivity.

Describing the incident as “heartbreaking and inhuman,” the Congress called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward rescuing the victims and tackling the growing wave of kidnappings nationwide.

“Our hearts go out to the affected families who are passing through unimaginable pain and uncertainty,” the communiqué stated.

The Congress also decried the resurgence of cult-related violence in Warri, particularly the killing of two young men in the Cemetery and Iyara areas on May 24.

Residents in the affected communities, it was learnt, have continued to live in fear as parents now worry about the safety of their children and businesses close earlier than usual due to insecurity.

The journalists urged security agencies to fish out those behind the killings and prosecute them accordingly.
Congress also appealed to the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Comrade Isaac Agbateyiniro, to take urgent and proactive measures to curb cultism and restore peace in the area.

Parents and guardians were equally advised to caution their children and wards against involvement in cult activities and other criminal acts capable of destroying their future.

On traffic congestion, the NUJ commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for constructing flyovers at PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout and Enerhen Junction to ease movement within Warri and Effurun.

However, Congress lamented that indiscriminate parking by tricycle operators and roadside trading activities around Enerhen Junction had turned the area into a major traffic nightmare.

The journalists noted that commuters and residents now spend long hours in gridlock daily despite the huge investment in the flyover project.

A trader around the axis, who spoke anonymously, said the situation had become frustrating for both motorists and business owners.

“People spend unnecessary hours in traffic here every day. Sometimes customers cannot even access our shops because of the congestion,” the source said.

Congress therefore called on the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Hon. Anthony Ofoni, to urgently clear the area and restore sanity.

The Congress also condemned alleged extortion and harassment by some police operatives stationed along roads in Warri, Uvwie, Udu, Ughelli and neighbouring communities.

It alleged that commercial drivers, tricycle riders and motorcyclists were frequently forced to part with money before being allowed to pass checkpoints.

According to the communiqué, many transport operators who refuse to pay are often delayed unnecessarily, worsening their daily struggle to earn a living.

“The constant harassment has become a burden on struggling transport workers and innocent road users,” Congress stated.

The journalists called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, to address the issue and caution officers against extortion and intimidation of citizens.

Congress further expressed concern over what it described as the dangerous abuse of social media by some government aides and political actors through inflammatory comments capable of heating up the polity.

It urged political stakeholders to embrace responsible communication and issue-based engagements in order to sustain peace, unity and democratic stability in the country.

The NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel reaffirmed its commitment to responsible journalism, good governance and the protection of citizens’ rights and welfare.