DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police meet Delta monarch, others over rising kidnappings

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Police in Delta State met with traditional rulers and stakeholders to address a surge in kidnappings and violent crime in Oghara.
  • The meeting followed public outcry and concerns raised by the Oghara Study Group about deteriorating security.
  • Authorities pledged improved intelligence sharing and collaboration to combat criminal activities and prosecute suspects.

Amidst escalating fears over rising banditry and kidnappings in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Oyeniyi, convened a critical security meeting with local leaders and stakeholders. The gathering aimed to confront the worsening security situation that has gripped the community.

The meeting, held at the palace of the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, was a direct response to public outcry and a recent alarm raised by the Oghara Study Group. The group described a significant deterioration of security, labeling Oghara a hotspot for organized criminal violence. They cited specific incidents, including the abduction of a couple where the husband was allegedly killed despite ransom payment, and the wife's escape.

The security situation in Oghara and its environs has worsened in recent times, with the increasing wave of banditry, kidnappings and killings.

— Oghara Study GroupDescribing the deteriorating security situation in a statement signed by its co-conveners.

Participants at the meeting included the Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Area, youth leaders, community Presidents-General, members of the Police Community Relations Committee, and representatives from the Arewa community. Discussions focused on the increasing cases of kidnapping, cultism, and drug abuse. A key outcome was the commitment to enhance intelligence sharing, protect informants, and foster closer collaboration among the police, judiciary, local government, and community leaders to ensure effective prosecution of criminals.

Commissioner Oyeniyi acknowledged the monarch's role in promoting peace and reiterated the Inspector-General of Police's directive on strengthening community policing through collaboration with traditional rulers and local authorities. He urged residents to continue sharing intelligence, identifying criminal elements as the common enemy. The police chief assured that despite isolated incidents, efforts were underway to restore normalcy and security to the area.

We could not simply ask people to stop using firewood and charcoal without providing them with a practical alternative.

— Dr Adedolapo FasaweMandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, explaining the rationale behind providing LPG alternatives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog