Group Condemn Soldiers For Shooting Peaceful Protesters In Delta ..... Urges Oborevwori to place importance on security of indigenes

"The insecurity situation in Delta State should also be of concern to this administration, as it is becoming worse by the day, which has made the people frequently ask if there is a government in Delta State and whether they care about the situation faced by residents and the indigenous populace."

..... "Fulani herdsmen are ravaging Delta communities, killing our fathers and mothers, and making our children orphans where they cannot get ransom."

A group, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA) a.k.a as “No Justice, No Peace” has condemned in strong terms the "underhanded" and "mean" actions by soldiers against unarmed peaceful protesters in Abraka Community, Ethiope-East Local Government Area of Delta State. 

ISRCA National Coordinator, Comrade (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen in a statement sent to Our Correspondent in Warri, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should place more importance to the security and well-being of the indigenous populace and residents within the State, ensuring the safeguarding of lives and property, as this constitutes the fundamental objective of governance. 

The group also said, "The escalating insecurity challenges, which have transcended specific areas and are progressively spreading to other areas and communities across the State, necessitate prompt concern and attention from the government."

According to the group, "The kidnapping rate in Delta State has reached its peak. from Asaba to Ogwashi, from Ogwashi to Ughelli, Abraka, Ozoro, almost all communities in Delta State are affected, but the State Government will not do anything to end this mess."

The group also said, "Regrettably, the existence of the Department Of State Security Service (DSS) in the State only exists for political purposes upon all the insecurities; Fulani Herders killing going on in the State. The people of Delta State require intelligence in the happenings in the State rather than flexing their muscles on concerned citizens speaking out against these menaces."

It would be recalled that soldiers on Monday, allegedly shot at peaceful protesters for protesting against incessant kidnappings and killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in their Community. They also protested against armed robbery attacks and other related crimes in the town. 

Speaking further, the group wondered who authorized the military's involvement in a matter pertaining to the civil space or who issued the directive to fire upon peaceful protesters, thereby disrupting the process rather than addressing it. 

"Interestingly, there’s a Kingdom in Abraka, the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Olorogun Barr Arthur Akpowowo, hails from Abraka and represents the Ethiope East Constituency. One would expect the matter to have been addressed a long time ago, but it continues to linger.

"The insecurity situation in Delta State should also be of concern to this administration, as it is becoming worse by the day, which has made the people frequently ask if there is a government in Delta State and whether they care about the situation faced by residents and the indigenous populace. 

"While the Governor Oborevwori-led administration is concerned about the politics of the State, its administration should also prioritize the safety and well-being of the entire people.

"There is also a school of thought which believes that another means of checking insecurity is the creation of state or community police, but since the government is averse to it, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to engage local traditional security outfits, just like it is in Western Nigeria, to defend her bush lands that have become kidnappers’ dens? Over time, we have suggested these measures to be implemented, but the state government has always opted for options that fail and yield no meaningful changes.

"The Operation Delta Hawk by the previous administration and Operation Sweep by the current leadership are failed schemes whose primary purpose is defeated upon arrival, as they have reduced their effectiveness to mainly extorting motorists instead of tackling these menaces in the state's bushes.

"Fulani herdsmen are ravaging Delta communities, killing our fathers and mothers, and making our children orphans where they cannot get ransom."