Ubeji Councillor Vows Action After Traders Protest Rising Theft

Hon. Felix Ojulu, Councillor for Ubeji Ward in Warri South Local Government Area, has intervened amid growing concerns about a recent surge in thefts and burglaries at the Ubeji community market.

On Tuesday morning, traders staged a protest to express their frustration over escalating criminal activities and the lack of visible intervention from local authorities.

**Ubeji Traders Meeting With Community Stakeholders and Security Stakeholders**

The protest followed a recent break-in during which food items, including ₦50,000 worth of ponmo (cowhide), were stolen from a trader’s store. Other vendors, including a widowed woman and several plantain sellers, also reported similar incidents of overnight theft. The traders stated their displeasure, claiming that despite the rising crime, the Warri South local government authorities have not taken adequate action.

**L-R: Hon. Felix Ojulu, Ubeji Ward Councillor and Justice Afor, Ubeji Secretary and Security Personnel**

Speaking in an interview with Warri Sentinel, Councillor Ojulu assured that the local government is already working on implementing new security measures. He acknowledged the community’s frustrations but stressed that steps are being taken to address the issue. “We are putting together strategies to improve security.”

**Ubeji Traders Meeting With Community and Security Stakeholders**

Ojulu also addressed misconceptions about the Ubeji police post, which some had claimed was no longer operational. “It’s not a full police station; it’s a police post,” he stated. “But it is operational, and the officers stationed there are doing their best. If they weren’t working, how would they have arrested criminals and sent them to Okere Prison?”

He emphasized that while the police are actively working to curb crime, additional resources and infrastructural upgrades are needed to improve the security situation in Ubeji.

The councillor noted that five communities; Ubeji, Ifie, Aja-etan, Ijala-ikeren and Egbokodo rely on the single police post. Ojulu called for improvements to increase its capacity.

While awaiting government intervention, traders have taken matters into their own hands by organizing community security patrols. Justice Afor, the community secretary and anti-cult commandant, confirmed to our correspondent that traders are contributing ₦500 monthly to fund the patrols. “We’re volunteers, but every trader is expected to contribute,” Afor said. “We’re doing our part, but we can’t do it alone.”

Despite the councillor’s reassurances, the community remains impatient with what many perceive as slow progress and unfulfilled promises.