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Victor Okpomor
In a determined bid to tackle the rising and worsening security situation in Oghara Kingdom, Oghara Study Group ihas called for an emergency Kingdom-wide Security and Peace Town Hall Meeting to address what it described as one of the darkest periods in the community’s history.
In an open letter signed by Rev. David Ugolor and Prof. Ogheneruonah Eghweree Co-convener addressed to all sons and daughters of Oghara Kingdom, the civic group said residents have come under relentless attacks from kidnappers and armed criminal groups in recent weeks, leaving families devastated, businesses crippled and communities living in fear.
The group said that fathers, mothers, traders, farmers, students and travellers have been abducted, with families forced to pay millions of naira in ransom to secure the release of loved ones, adding, “while some victims regained their freedom, others reportedly lost their lives in captivity”.
The group revealed that a public survey and independent documentation it conducted on kidnapping incidents, ransom payments and their impact exposed the severe humanitarian and economic consequences of the insecurity.
The findings according to the group showed that many families sold land, livestock, businesses and other personal assets or borrowed heavily to raise ransom payments, leaving them trapped in debt months after the ordeal. Victims and their relatives, the report noted, continue to battle psychological trauma, fear and emotional distress.
The group stated that the growing insecurity has forced many farmers to abandon their farms, while traders increasingly avoid major markets, “adding , “commercial transport operators have also reduced operations, particularly along the Benin–Ologbo–Sapele Road, now widely regarded as a dangerous route due to frequent criminal attacks.”
The group warned that economic activities across Oghara Kingdom have slowed significantly as businesses close earlier, residents restrict movement and investors become increasingly reluctant to do business in the area.
It attributed the worsening security situation partly to the deteriorating condition of the Benin–Ologbo–Sapele Road, inadequate security presence and weak emergency response systems, which it said have created opportunities for criminal networks to operate freely.
While acknowledging efforts by security agencies, Oghara Study Group said government responses at the local, state and federal levels have fallen short of the urgency required to restore public confidence.
The organisation disclosed that after issuing an earlier public alarm over the insecurity, it convened a Global Online Press Conference that attracted national and international media attention, helping to amplify the plight of victims and draw wider attention to the crisis.
However, it stressed that public awareness alone would not solve the problem, insisting that sustainable solutions must emerge through collaboration among traditional institutions, government, security agencies and the people of Oghara Kingdom.
To this end, the group proposed the convening of an Oghara Kingdom Security and Peace Town Hall Meeting involving the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, community leaders, Oghara Elites Forum, religious leaders, youth and women groups, security agencies, professional bodies, civil society organisations, members of the diaspora and other stakeholders.
According to the group, “the meeting will review the security situation across the kingdom, present findings from its kidnapping and ransom survey, hear directly from victims and affected families, develop practical community-driven strategies to combat kidnapping, strengthen collaboration with security agencies, recommend immediate and long-term interventions, establish support mechanisms for victims and produce a comprehensive Community Security Action Plan.
“We therefore call upon every sons and daughters of Oghara Kingdom, both at home and abroad to remain calm, United and law abiding. This is not a time for division, political rivalry or blame. It is a time to stand together in defence of our communities,our heritage and the future of generations yet unborn. Kidnapping is not merely a security challenge. It is an attack on our economy, our culture, our dignity and our collective future. Every ransom paid strengthens criminal network, discourages investment, deepens poverty and undermines confidence in our communities.”
The group also appealed to the Federal and Delta State Governments and Ethiope West Local Government Council and all relevant security agencies to urgently reinforce security deployment, improve intelligence gathering, rehabilitate critical road infrastructure and work closely with local communities to dismantle criminal gangs operating within and around Oghara Kingdom.
The group added, “the outcome of the proposed Town Hall Meeting will serve as the foundation for sustained advocacy, strategic engagement and practical action aimed at restoring lasting peace and security throughout Oghara Kingdom. History will judge us not by the fear we endured, but by the courage we demonstrated in confronting it together.”
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