ABRAKA/Nigeria: A rights group, Initiative for Social Rights Concerns and Advancement (ISRCA), also known as “No Justice, No Peace”, has strongly condemned the alleged shooting of unarmed protesters by soldiers in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, describing the military’s actions as “underhanded” and “mean.”
In a statement released in Warri on Wednesday by its National Coordinator, Comrade (Amb.) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, the group called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently prioritize the safety and security of Deltans, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental objective of governance.
According to Agberen, the incident occurred on Monday when soldiers reportedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators who were protesting the escalating insecurity in the area, particularly kidnappings, killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen, armed robbery, and other violent crimes that have taken root in the community.
He lamented that rather than addressing the underlying issues, security operatives resorted to brute force to silence concerned citizens. “Who authorized the military’s involvement in a purely civil protest? And who gave the directive to fire live rounds at peaceful protesters?” he asked. “This is a clear abuse of power, a dangerous escalation, and a suppression of the people’s right to express their frustration in the face of rising insecurity.”
The group painted a grim picture of the security situation across Delta State, saying that almost all communities are affected by the kidnapping scourge. “From Asaba to Ogwashi-Uku, from Ughelli to Abraka, Ozoro and beyond, nowhere is safe anymore. The state government has continued to look the other way while lives are being lost and communities ravaged.”
ISRCA also accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of focusing solely on political matters while failing to provide intelligence or act against the widespread violence. “We have DSS in Delta, yet Fulani herdsmen are killing people in the hinterlands. What purpose do they serve if they cannot protect the people from these terrorists?” the group queried.
The situation in Abraka is especially troubling given the prominence of the community, the group noted, saying, “Abraka is home to a kingdom and also the hometown of the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olorogun Barr. Arthur Akpowowo. One would think the matter would receive urgent attention, yet it has lingered for too long.”
ISRCA warned that the growing insecurity across the state is feeding public disenchantment, with many residents now openly questioning whether the Oborevwori-led administration cares about the plight of the people. “The government cannot afford to be more interested in politics than in governance. Security is the most pressing concern today, and ignoring it is dangerous.”
The group renewed its call for community-based policing initiatives, urging the Delta State Government to adopt successful traditional security models as seen in the South-Western states. “We’ve made several suggestions including community policing and the use of local security outfits, but the government keeps choosing failed approaches. Operation Delta Hawk under the previous government failed, and now Operation Sweep has been reduced to extorting motorists rather than tackling criminal hideouts.”
Agberen said it was painful to watch Fulani herdsmen reportedly ravage communities, kill fathers and mothers, and orphan children whose parents could not raise ransom money. “This is not just a security crisis. It is a humanitarian disaster unfolding before our eyes, and the government must stop acting like a spectator.”
He warned that continued silence or mismanagement of such issues could lead to more unrest and breakdown of trust between citizens and the state. “You cannot ignore the cries of the people and expect peace. Without justice, there will be no peace,” he concluded.
