Women and girls numbering over 500 from the Abraka community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, on Monday, staged a protest against the alarming rise in kidnapping incidents in the area.
The protesters, including elderly women, barricaded the busy Abraka junction, causing hours of gridlock and leaving motorists and passengers stranded. Chanting songs of frustration, the women called for urgent action to address the worsening security situation, which they described as unbearable and traumatizing.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “End Kidnapping in Abraka,” “Enough is Enough,” “DPO Must Go,” and “Hardship Is Unbearable,” the women marched through major streets of the town, drawing attention to their plight. Some elderly women reportedly danced naked to emphasize the gravity of the situation.
The protesters expressed anger over the frequent attacks by gunmen and criminals, claiming that abductions occur almost daily. They lamented that the insecurity has forced many residents to relocate to neighboring communities, stalling Abraka’s economic and social development.
The women accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abraka Police Station, SP Fabian Ayameh, of failing to adequately address the security challenges, rather he is allegedly busy extorting money from young boy and using same to fund his extravagant lifestyle. They argued that the local police have not lived up to expectations and called for the DPO’s immediate removal.
The protesters appealed to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the State Commissioner of Police to intervene by redeploying the DPO and enhancing security measures in the community. They emphasized that swift action is necessary to restore peace and revitalize economic activities in Abraka.
