Residents of Diffri and NDDC roads in Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, have accused both the state and federal governments of neglect, alleging that kidnappers have taken over the area and turned it into a killing field.
In an open letter addressed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Sapele local government authorities, and security agencies, the residents lamented that for over three years, they have lived under constant fear as kidnappers launch frequent operations unchallenged.
According to them, countless lives have been lost to abductions and attacks, while homeowners have been forced to abandon their houses after spending years struggling to build them.
The letter reads in part, “It is the responsibility of the government to protect the lives and properties of its citizens, but the Sapele Local Government, Delta State Government, and Nigerian Government have failed woefully in protecting the residents of Diffri Road and NDDC Road in Amukpe, Sapele.
“For the past three years, kidnappers have been terrorising Diffri Road and NDDC Road consistently, and they succeed in almost every one of their operations because of glaring security lapses in the area.
“So many lives have been cut short, all because of kidnappers. People struggled to build houses, but unfortunately, they can’t stay in them simply because of the fear of kidnappers.”
“The government has failed woefully in its responsibility to protect lives and properties. For three years now, kidnappers have been terrorising Diffri Road and NDDC Road consistently, and they succeed in almost all their operations because of glaring security lapses in the area,” the residents said.
“So many lives have been cut short all because of kidnappers.”
They noted that despite repeated cries for help, no meaningful action has been taken to secure the communities.
The residents called on the authorities to immediately deploy the army and other security forces to the area to “checkmate the activities of kidnappers” before more lives are lost.
“Enough is enough. Government has to do something, and it has to be done sooner. If nothing is done, the residents of Diffri Road are willing to embark on a peaceful protest to the Sapele Local Government Secretariat,” the statement added.
The letter, signed by concerned residents, was also copied to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Hon. Bright Afure Abeke, popular social commentator Real Sapele Amebo, Delta police spokesperson Bright Edafe, and the state command.