By Jesse Ese

National News – The abduction of the Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, Bright Abeke, has triggered strong condemnation and renewed criticism of worsening insecurity in Delta State, with leaders and activists accusing the state government of failing to prioritize the safety of lives and property.

The Delta State Deputy Youth Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Comrade Sane Peter Darah (JP), described the abduction as disturbing and unacceptable.

Darah, who is aspiring for the Delta State House of Assembly, Ughelli South Constituency, said the incident highlights the urgent need for community-based security architecture across the state.

The youth leader, who also spearheaded the Urhobo Security Network, said the kidnapping underscores the dangers of over-reliance on conventional security agencies while neglecting grassroots intelligence.

“Honestly, I am not happy over the kidnap of the Sapele Local Government Chairman. It’s a very sad incident and while I pray for his freedom, I want to urge the Delta State Government, our local government chairmen, as well as our community leaders to prioritize internal security,” he said.

He recalled that the Urhobo Security Network had previously carried out advocacy across the 24 kingdoms in Urhobo land, spanning eight local government areas, where youths were recruited, trained and sensitized on community policing and intelligence gathering.

According to him, the initiative done under the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa helped prevent several criminal activities and safeguarded lives and property before it lost momentum due to lack of government support.

Darah further revealed that during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the proposal to institutionalize the network and provide funding was not approved, a development he described as unfortunate.

He therefore urged the state government, local government authorities and traditional institutions to urgently fund vigilantes, volunteers, civil defence and anti-cult groups, stressing that communities understand their terrain better than external security forces.

“Instead of relying on the police and military alone, communities should be empowered. Nobody knows your backyard more than yourself,” Darah added.

Young Nigerian Rights Organization Reacts

However, in a more scathing reaction, Lead Activist and National Coordinator of the Young Nigerian Rights Organization, Victor Ojei, popularly known as Wong Box Nigeria, declared that the kidnapping exposes what he described as the failure of the Delta State Government’s M.O.R.E Agenda, particularly in the area of security.

According to Ojei, the government’s promise of “Enhanced Peace and Security” under the M.O.R.E Agenda does not reflect the reality on ground, arguing that insecurity continues to worsen across the state.

“The M.O.R.E Agenda of the Delta State Government has clearly failed and does not reflect the reality on ground. The biggest contradiction is in ‘Enhanced Peace and Security,’ which is practically non-existent,” he stated.

Ojei further criticized what he described as the absence of modern security infrastructure, including AI-powered CCTV surveillance and drone technology, which he said could help track criminals and deter kidnappings.

“There is no investment in modern security infrastructure such as AI-powered CCTV systems or surveillance drones that could track and deter kidnapping. At the same time, security personnel lack incentives and welfare support, further weakening the system,” he added.

The activist also accused the government of prioritizing visible infrastructure projects while neglecting rural communities where insecurity is rapidly growing.

“Rather than focusing on real impact, the government prioritizes optics, selective roads and flyovers while rural communities remain neglected,” he said.

Ojei further raised concerns over the condition of critical sectors in the state, noting that primary healthcare centres across the 25 local government areas remain under-equipped, while many public schools lack desks, chairs and basic infrastructure.

He also disclosed that his resignation on April 25, 2025, was based on principle, after several policy proposals on security and youth development were ignored and placed on what he described as “Keep In View (KIV).”

According to him, Delta State requires a people-centered and technology-driven governance model similar to what is being implemented in Lagos State, stressing that competence must take precedence over party politics ahead of 2027.

“2027 should be about competence over party, as Deltans deserve leadership with real solutions, not slogans,” Ojei stated.

Other concerns

Observers, including the Crusaders for Niger Delta Community Development (CNDCD), say the abduction of the sitting local government chairman has heightened fears among residents and political stakeholders, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of existing security strategies in Delta State.

They also warn that the incident could further erode public confidence if urgent steps are not taken to strengthen intelligence gathering, community policing, and deployment of technology-driven security solutions across the state.

The kidnapping of the Sapele council chairman on Friday, they note, is not just an isolated incident but a reflection of a growing security challenge that now demands immediate and decisive action.