*Referred to Committee on Police Affairs, National Security for further legislative action
By Victor Lewis
A crucial motion of urgent public importance on the increasing herdsmen-induced insecurity situation in Delta State sponsored by the member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Benedict Etanabene has been passed and referred to the House Committee on Police Affairs and National and Security intelligence.
It would be recalled that the past three to four months have witnessed an unprecedented upsurge in herdsmen’s incessant attacks, kidnappings and killings of innocent Nigerians along some major highways in Delta State.
Mostly affected areas of the Delta Central Senatorial District of the State include Sapele-Effurun highway, Agbarho-Ughelli highway, Ohoro/Bomadi junction along the East-West Road and in some parts of Delta North Senatorial District.
Moving the motion under urgent public importance, Hon. Etanabene who solely sponsored the motion drew the attention of the members to the upsurge in insecurity in that part of the state, stressing that the armed bandits have adopted a very dangerous approach of opening fire on vehicles traveling along the highways, forcing them to a stop, robbing, killing and kidnapping the passengers for ransom.
Hon. Etanabene who, during the debate of the motion, recalled how he escaped becoming a victim, two weeks ago along the Sapele-Effurun highway, also informed the House that it is sad that in spite of the fact that there are police security check points along the affected highways, the incidents keep increasing.
In his prayers, Hon. Etanabene urged the House Committee on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence to mandate the Inspector-General of Police to order the Police in Delta State to increase Police surveillance and patrols in the mentioned areas, and also to mandate the Committee of the House on Ministry of Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence to monitor compliance.
“In Delta Central today, we are living under siege. There are herdsmen living in all the bushes, forests, and what they do now is a new trend of jumping into the road and opening fire on vehicles that are carrying passengers who are traveling from one destination to another. They force the vehicles to a stop, kill people and take all the occupants into the forest.
“These areas include Sapele-Effurun highway where I escaped becoming a victim about three weeks ago. Between Agbarho a d Ughelli is another dead end. And from Uweru to Bomadi junction along the East-West Road is also a death end. They kill people and kidnap others for ransom. They are in everywhere in the bushes.
“These assailants are having a field day and I’m curious because in these areas there usually Police check points. Yet, nothing is happening.
“I urge this House to observe a minute silence for those who lost their lives, at least ten people died in the past one week.
“I call on the Inspector-General of Police to mandate the Police in Delta State to increase Police surveillance and patrols in the mentioned areas and mandate the House Committee on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence to monitor compliance”, Etanabene prayed.
The motion which was moved by Etanabene and seconded by two other members was overwhelming voted for and referred to the House Committee on Police Affairs and National Security and Intelligence for further legislative action.
It would also be recalled that some of the satellite villages around Ughelli South Local Government Area, particularly in Egbo community, kidnappers have gone berserk to the extent that they abduct innocent people from their homes in day time for ransom.
The Police have been accused of inaction whenever relatives of victims approach them for assistance.
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