Economic activities in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, were disrupted on Monday as women and young girls staged a massive protest against rising insecurity and kidnappings in the community.
Over 500 protesters, including women and girls, gathered at the busy Abraka junction, chanting protest songs and blocking the road for hours. The demonstration caused significant traffic gridlock, leaving motorists and commuters stranded.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, including “End Kidnapping in Abraka,” “Enough is Enough,” “DPO Must Go,” and “Hardship Is Unbearable.” They expressed frustration over the alarming rate of kidnappings and called for immediate action to tackle the security challenges in their community.
Marching through major streets, the women accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abraka Police Station, SP Fabian Ayameh, of failing to address the rampant kidnappings and insecurity in the area. They demanded his immediate removal, alleging that his leadership has been ineffective in curbing the menace.
Reliable information obtained by Chronicles Reporters indicated that some of the protesters danced half-naked to emphasize their grievances. They accused SP Ayameh of extorting money from young boys to fund a lavish lifestyle while allowing criminals to operate freely.
The women lamented that kidnappings and attacks by criminals had become a daily occurrence, forcing many residents to flee to nearby communities. This mass exodus, they said, has severely impacted the local economy and hindered the community’s social development.
In their appeal, the protesters called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Commissioner of Police to intervene. They urged the authorities to redeploy SP Ayameh and implement effective security measures to restore peace and economic stability to Abraka.
“We need urgent action to save our community,” one protester said. “We cannot continue living in fear while our economy collapses.”
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