By Ovasa Ogaga,
Worried by the resurgence of insecurity across Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has issued a no-nonsense directive to local government chairmen and traditional rulers, warning that laxity in grassroots security coordination will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking at a high-level security stakeholders meeting in Asaba on Thursday, Oborevwori made it clear that council chairmen must take their roles as chief security officers of their local governments seriously. He decried the absenteeism of some chairmen from monthly security council meetings and warned that failure to attend and actively participate would attract disciplinary sanctions, including possible suspension.
“Security is a shared responsibility and as Council Chairmen you campaigned to win elections—you should know your environment very well,” the governor said. “We will not take any form of laxity from any Chairman. By the time we use one or two persons as examples, others will sit up.”
Addressing the rise in kidnapping, cult-related killings, and drug abuse, Oborevwori said the state would soon deploy modern surveillance systems, crime-mapping tools, and data-driven intelligence to bolster crime prevention and response. He described the current security situation as “very disturbing” and called for greater synergy among stakeholders.
"The insecurity in the state has been compounded by the influx of undesirable elements from neighbouring states, especially from across the Niger," he stated. “Very soon, we shall deploy technology to help detect and engage all these criminals undermining the peace of our dear state.”
Oborevwori was emphatic that council chairmen must not only hold their security council meetings regularly but also provide adequate support to local vigilantes. “The community vigilantes are to support and complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies. If you don’t support them, they won’t work,” he said.
He also charged the chairmen to work closely with traditional rulers in their domains, saying, “If I can manage all the traditional rulers in the state as governor, you can manage those in your local governments.”
Reiterating the importance of cooperation, the governor warned that traditional rulers who fail to work with security agencies would not be tolerated. “Any domain whose traditional ruler is not cooperating with our security agencies would not be tolerated,” he stressed.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, said after the meeting that serious measures had been agreed upon to curb kidnapping and related crimes. “Criminals, troublemakers alike, kidnappers should stay far from our state,” he declared.
[caption id="attachment_1853961" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Cross section of Delta Traditional Rulers at the State Security Meeting[/caption]
The Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), Orhue I, dispelled claims that traditional rulers sell lands to herders. “In various communities, the lands belong to either the communities or families—it doesn’t belong to traditional rulers,” he said, blaming “bad elements” for falsely implicating monarchs.
Brig. Gen. Folu Shonibare, Commander of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Asaba, revealed that the military and other security agencies have made significant strides, including rescuing over 16 civilians from a recent kidnapping attempt. He also clarified the recent Abraka protest, stating, “Nobody was shot. The military cleared the protest peacefully after it was hijacked by hoodlums.”
Council Chairmen were left with a clear directive: act or face consequences. Hon. Possible Ajede, Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government, who spoke on their behalf, acknowledged the marching orders. “We’ve been directed to return to our LGAs and take the issue of security further. All criminal elements should relocate from the state,” he warned.
Oborevwori’s message was unmistakable: insecurity will be met with resolve, technology, and swift action—and those who fail to rise to the challenge will be held accountable.
