Oghara Group Raises Alarm Over Rising Insecurity, Demands Urgent Government Action

The Oghara Study Group (OSG) has called on the Federal Government, Delta State Government and security agencies to take immediate and coordinated action to address what it described as the worsening wave of insecurity across Oghara Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

In a statement by its Convener, Rev. David Ugolor, and Co-Convener, Prof. Ogheneruonah Eghweree, the group expressed deep concern over the recent surge in kidnappings, killings, armed robbery and other violent crimes, warning that the situation has reached an alarming level.

The group cited the recent abduction of a husband and wife, during which the husband was reportedly killed by his captors while the wife was later released after a ransom was paid. It described the incident as a grim reflection of the deteriorating security situation and said several other kidnapping cases had also been recorded in the kingdom.

According to the OSG, Oghara, once regarded as a peaceful community, is increasingly becoming vulnerable to criminal gangs whose activities have disrupted daily life, forced farmers away from their farmlands, threatened businesses and restricted the free movement of residents.

While extending condolences to the family of the slain victim and sympathising with his wife over the traumatic ordeal, the group insisted that no family should have to endure such tragedy.

It also condemned the activities of criminal elements terrorising communities, stressing that crime has no ethnic, religious or political justification. The group urged security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute everyone responsible for the attacks.

The OSG appealed to the Federal Government, Delta State Government, Ethiope West Local Government Council and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Navy and other intelligence agencies, to deploy additional personnel, surveillance technology and operational resources to restore peace.

Among its recommendations were sustained operations against criminal hideouts, intensified intelligence gathering, improved inter-agency collaboration, increased patrols across roads, rural communities, waterways and farmlands, as well as the establishment of rapid-response mechanisms to tackle security threats promptly.

The group also called for a thorough investigation into the recent kidnapping and killing to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

It urged traditional rulers, youth groups, religious organisations, market associations and other community stakeholders to strengthen collaboration with security agencies through lawful information sharing and community policing initiatives.

While emphasising that security is a shared responsibility, the OSG cautioned residents against resorting to mob justice, ethnic profiling or reprisals against innocent persons, insisting that suspects should only be prosecuted based on credible evidence and the rule of law.

Describing the current situation as a defining moment for Oghara Kingdom, the group said governments at all levels must treat the safety of residents as an urgent priority.

“The people of Oghara deserve to live, work, farm and travel without fear. The time for decisive action is now,” the statement added.