By Felix Ekwu
Worried by the growing insecurity in Abraka community of Delta State, the member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Ben Igbakpa on Saturday urged security agents to take decisive actions to bring the situation under control.
Igbakpa’s outburst stemmed from the trending video of local vigilantes in Abraka community who bravery came to the rescue to avert an invasion of the railway line that passes the community by terrorists suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
Following the development, security alert messages are now being widely circulated on Whatsapp, Facebook and social media platforms warning people to avoid going through the Abraka road, particularly at night.
Igbakpa in multiple tweets on Saturday afternoon on his verified Twitter handle, @benigbakpa wrote, “We have reports that some armed men, suspected to be terrorists have been spotted in the axis of my constituency and it took the bravery of local vigilantes to momentarily resist them in a gun battle. I call on the security agents to be decisive with this report or we will act.
“The last resort is self-defense and we will exploit it if we are pushed to the wall. Our people depend on us to safeguard them and improve their livelihood. It will be a curse if we fail in this primary responsibility for want of heavy reliance on the national security agents.
“Private tax-paying citizens have for years volunteered to secure themselves and their communities. This is unacceptable but we endure it nonetheless because the national security architecture is deficient. It’s a pity that the Federal Government is not committed to state police.”
Meanwhile, in a phone chat with NewsNet Nigeria, the Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government, Victor Ofobrukueta said his administration is on top of the situation saying they are doing the best they can.
“Generally, even as at yesterday (Friday) I pass the road at about 9 to 10pm, there were police on the road, we have checkpoints where you have policemen. We also have our vigilante and we also have our hunters on the road. So, we are fully in control of the situation but generally, security-wise, we advise people not to move at night,” said Ofobrukueta.
Also speaking with NewsNet Nigeria, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe said there was no reason for the tension in Abraka saying nobody knew the purpose of the Fulani herdsmen.
According to him, what transpired in the trending video was a proactive measure taken to avert any eventuality.
