Benedict Etanabene, the House of Representatives member representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie federal constituency, has issued a distress call for immediate intervention to address the escalating incidents of herdsmen attacks, kidnappings, and murders plaguing Delta State.
The lawmaker expressed alarm at the escalating violence, revealing that deadly attacks by killer herdsmen in the region have claimed the lives of at least ten innocent individuals within a span of just two weeks.
Moved by the gravity of the situation, Hon. Etanabene has presented a timely motion of urgent public importance to the House of Representatives, highlighting the need for immediate action.
It was gathered that the motion, which focused on the increasing insecurity in Delta State caused by killer herdsmen had been passed and referred to the House Committee on Police Affairs and National Security Intelligence.
Etanabene while commenting on the incident, lamented that in the past four months, Delta residents have witnessed an unprecedented surge in herdsmen’s incessant attacks, kidnappings and killings along some of the state’s major highways.
He said that the Delta Central senatorial district has been particularly affected, with areas such as the Sapele-Effurun highway, Agbarho-Ughelli highway and the Ohoro/Bomadi junction along the East-West Road experiencing severe disruptions.
Parts of Delta North senatorial district, especially the Ika and Ukwani areas have also been impacted with residents unable to farm for fear of attacks.
In moving the motion he solely sponsored under urgent public importance, Hon. Etanabene highlighted the escalating insecurity in the state, stressing that “the armed bandits have adopted a perilous approach, opening fire on vehicles travelling along the highways to force them to stop, robbing passengers and kidnapping them for ransom.”
The lawmaker recalled his narrow escape from becoming a victim two weeks ago, on the Sapele-Effurun highway, expressing sadness that “despite police security checkpoints along the affected highways, these incidents continue to rise.”
Hon. Etanabene called on the House Committees on Police Affairs and National Security Intelligence to direct the Inspector-General of Police to intensify surveillance and boost patrols in the affected regions.
Also, Etanabene urged the House Committees on Police Affairs and National Security Intelligence to oversee and ensure the implementation of these directives.
He spoke further, “In Delta Central today, we live under siege. Herdsmen occupy all the bushes and forests. They now jump onto the road, open fire on vehicles carrying passengers, force them to stop, kill people, and take all the occupants into the forest.
“These areas include the Sapele-Effurun highway, where I narrowly escaped becoming a victim about three weeks ago. The stretch between Agbarho and Ughelli is another dead end, and from Uweru to Bomadi junction along the East-West Road is also a death trap. They kill people and kidnap others for ransom. They are everywhere in the bushes.
“These assailants are having a field day, and I’m curious because there are usually police checkpoints in these areas. Yet, nothing is happening.
“I call on the Inspector-General of Police to mandate the Police in Delta State to increase surveillance and patrols in the mentioned areas and mandate the House Committees on Police Affairs and National Security Intelligence to monitor compliance.”
