… Community Protest Over Incessant Kidnapping
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Tension and fear is currently heightened in Ovwor-Olomu Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, over the killing of a father of three in a failed kidnapping attempt by suspected Fulani herders.
It was learned that Ovwor community has been under siege as kidnappers now enter and kidnap anyone at will without resistance
from security agents.
Chief. Godspower Okagbare, the President General of Ovwor-Olomu community while speaking to journalists said, “I was informed that somebody was kidnapped from the community yesterday and for the past one or two months, my community has been under the siege of kidnappers and armed robbers.
“We have made several reports and appeals to the outgoing and the newly posted Area Commander to Ughelli and we have been working with the DPO Otu-Jeremi Police Division to see how we can find solution to this very ugly situation.
“On June 19, a couple was kidnapped and precisely five days after, June 24, another person was kidnapped before this recent kidnapping that took place.
“The recent girl that was kidnapped, I was told escaped while the couple that was kidnapped on June 19, was released on the 23rd and on the 24th another person was kidnapped and I am not aware if he has been released.
“The police from Otu-Jeremi in collaboration with the youths have been of great help. Presently am out of town attending to other issues in other to save the situation.” He said.
A source from the community who spoke on happenings in the community, called on security agents to rescue them from the hands of the deadly hoodlums called kidnappers.
The source said, “For over six months, our community has been under siege as these kidnapper would come from the nearby bush, pick anybody they wished to pick, take them to the bush and ask for ransom.
Sometime ago a man that was installing solar panels, a generator mechanic were abducted and ransom were paid for their release.
Before this recent incident, the CEO of a Driving School based in Ughelli was kidnapped from their building site and we were told that they paid the ransom of Ten Million before they were released.
“The recent one was when the kidnappers came and were asking after the man in the house and when the daughter came out to tell them that her daddy was not around, the girl was kidnapped and as God would have it, she escaped.
“The father of the kidnapped girl, (name withheld) belongs to one of the local security apparatus and on that day, he was with his colleagues in search of some kidnapped victims.
“After the escape of the girl, they came back the next day for another target and unfortunately, they killed the victim, a father of three, Mr Godstime who sells PoP cement and one of his child was injured.
Mr Godstime successfully got to his house after he was given a hot chase but the kidnappers shot through his door and the bullet plucked off his head.
“As that was not enough, they shot the door key to open and they entered his house located at Izigwe area just by Oteri-Ughelli community to probably confirm his death and allegedly carted away with some of his valuables.
“His death triggered protests in the community as women, youths and leaders barricaded the Ovwor community for several hours calling on the Ughelli Area Commander, and other security agents to rescue them from kidnappers.”
The protester dropped leaf branches and coffin covered with red cloth at some other junctions in the community.
Security agencies and leaders in both Ughelli North and South are called upon to work out measures in beefing up security in the area as residents now sleep with one eye close.