Terror-stricken residents of more than 20 communities in Delta North Senatorial District have called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for urgent intervention as suspected herdsmen and kidnappers continue to terrorize the region’s forests, farmlands, and highways.
The affected communities—including Ubulu-Uku, Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Issele-Uku, Azagba-Ogwashi, Ubulu-Unor, among others—have been plagued by a wave of violent crimes, including abductions and killings. In the past six months alone, over 50 persons have reportedly been kidnapped or murdered.
The communities are demanding the immediate deployment of security forces, aerial surveillance, and military raids to flush out the armed invaders.
“We are living in constant fear,” said Mr. Andrew Okafor, a retired security officer from Otulu. “Armed Fulani herdsmen kidnap people daily from our farms and mount illegal roadblocks to abduct travellers. They hide in the forests and launch attacks from there.”
Local farmers say the situation has rendered agricultural activities nearly impossible, while the roads are no longer safe for commuters. Community vigilantes, they add, are grossly ill-equipped to confront the well-armed criminals.
“The governor must mobilize the police, military, and aerial teams to raid these forests,” Okafor urged. “We need helicopters, forest rangers, and stronger enforcement of existing laws to root out these criminals.”
For some residents, the impact has been deeply personal and traumatic.
Mr. John Ndukwe, a businessman from Azagba-Ogwashi, recounted how his wife was raped on their farm by suspected herdsmen. “They are emboldened because there are no consequences,” he said. “The government must act decisively—destroy their camps, train and deploy forest rangers, and enforce the anti-open grazing law.”
Mrs. Joan Isioma, a teacher from Anifekide, spoke of the horror of negotiating ransoms under bizarre conditions. “Some kidnappers now demand jollof rice, turkey meat, and energy drinks along with cash,” she said. “They pretend to be herders by day, then become kidnappers by night. The government must clear the forests once and for all.”
Commercial driver Celestine Nmakwe added: “They use cows to monitor the highways during the day and return armed at night. We’re no longer safe on the Benin-Asaba road.”
Numerous cases support the growing outcry. On March 23, gunmen kidnapped Chibueze, a student of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. That same night, Mr. Afam Soeze was abducted from his home in Ubulu-Uku. A week later, Mr. Godwin Anuka, his wife, and two children were abducted on their farm; he was shot dead in front of his family for resisting.
On April 6, a medical doctor and his driver were kidnapped along the Asaba–Issele-Uku expressway, with the gang demanding N15 million and cooked food as ransom.
In response, Aniocha South Local Government Chairman, Pastor Jude Chukwunwike, partnered with local vigilantes and the Nigerian Army to aid in the rescue operations.
Another chilling incident involved a pastor who was shot during a church vigil in Azagba-Ogwashi, with five worshippers kidnapped. Eight more persons—including another doctor and a delivery van driver—were abducted the same day.
In late March, Esther Ojoh, a real estate agent, was kidnapped and murdered after showing clients a property near Admiral University, Ibusa.
Following public outrage, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, launched a sting operation. Police spokesperson SP Edafe Bright confirmed that four suspected kidnappers, including their leader Abubakar Usman a.k.a. “Shehu,” were killed in a gun battle.
“After the doctor’s abduction and ransom payment, our special team tracked and arrested the gang leader, then stormed their forest hideout,” Edafe said. “We recovered three AK-47 rifles and 90 rounds of ammunition.”
Usman reportedly confessed to several kidnappings across Ubulu-Uku, Ogwashi-Uku, and Ibusa, including the murder of Mr. Anuka and the abduction of Esther Ojoh.
