Activist Writes Delta CP, Appeals For Establishment Of More Police Stations In Udu LGA

The Commissioner of Police,
CP Wale Abass,
Delta State Police Command,
Asaba.

Dear Sir,

THE URGENT NEED TO ESTABLISH/COMMISSION A DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION TO CLAMPDOWN KIDNAPPINGS, ARMED ROBBERY, CULTISM/SECURITY CHALLENGES IN UDU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF DELTA STATE.

I wish to bring, to your notice, the issue of kidnappings, armed robbery, cult killings and other security challenges in the state, and of which, you are not unfamiliar with.

As an activist and a concerned citizen of Nigeria, particularly, as an indigene/resident of the state, it is disheartening to realize that kidnappings, armed robbery, cultism and other forms of vices have eaten deep into the state and have continued to threaten the safety of lives and property.

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The incessant killings from incidence of kidnappings, armed robbery and cult clashes, which has formed part of insecurity in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, the result of which has led to the loss of many lives and property worth millions of naira, is becoming worrisome.

Sir, it would interest you to know that most communities in Udu Local Government Area has been a den for thieves, kidnappers and cultists. Most of these criminal elements are backed up by community leaders and are used for political purposes and otherwise. The way this issue has been handled by the various community leaders is saddening. It compels one to conclude that human lives are not valued here.

Sir, the security strength in Udu is another issue to give attention. Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Police Station is the only station, policing over 32 communities in Udu. Sure, efficiency cannot be achieved with such insufficiency. There is no way that one police station can guarantee the security of lives and property in a local government area as large as Udu. This really needs thoughts. Currently, having the likes of CSP Aliyu Shaba as Divisional Police Officer(DPO); he has made it so much easier in combating crimes in the area, which the Police Command and the people of Udu can attest to but the Nigeria Police should not rest the job of many on the shoulders of one man. He is human and cannot be everywhere at the same time.

I cannot start to tell the story of all the cult clashes to foreground my discomfort because the stories are endless. People now see our dear state as the theatre of onslaught. Just few weeks ago, there was a cult clash in Orhuwhorun town in Udu Local Government Area which led to the demise of a youth. Less than a week, there was a gory scene at Orhuwhorun — an attack which resulted in the death of one Mr. John, whom was badly butchered to death. It was a retaliation to the death of one cultist popularly known as Commissioner. These attacks, as I indicated early on, are just a morsel of the sour meal of insecurity and panic that we have been forced to consume for years. Over the years, there have been reprisal attacks to confirm the vindictive nature of cultism. The reoccurrence of these clashes leaves many questions to be answered. These sad episodes have become a killjoy for the rest of us who are still alive.

Both the Local and the State Government has not done enough on the insecurity challenges in Udu. Sir, l tell you, the rate of killings in the area is alarming yet the Government is doing little or nothing to stop these incessant killings; this is very bad. It is not only the killings that are associated with cult groups, but kidnapping, armed robbery are also on increase on a daily basis in the area.

As said earlier, there are 32 communities in Udu Local Government Area but it has just one Police station which is, Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Police station, unlike other Local Government Areas in the State that have over 4/5 Divisional Police Stations. These has affected effective policing in the area, hence has made it impossible for the police to combat crimes effectively.

Sir, there has been the existence of a mobile Police Station, situated at Otor-Udu, which is the headquarters of Udu Local Government but it lacks police personnel’s and effective administration/management. The building is situated on a good land space and as such can be reconstructed/commissioned to be a Divisional Police Station in Udu, to ease effective policing in the area, as it is very difficult for Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Police Station to take turns round all 32 communities all at once. The Local Government Chairman, Forum of Udu President General, NGO and other able personalities in Udu has failed to stand tall and to provide lands or building to handover to the Nigeria Police Force, as I have previously sued through meetings, writings/publications.

Furthermore, I appeal that you critically look into the subject matter in this note, on the need to strengthen security in Udu Local Government Area, by establishing/commissioning a Divisional Police Station in the area. Everyone, living in Udu and in other areas of the state, will be appreciative and relieved if the issues, raised in this letter, are considered and acted on.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
Comr. (Amb). Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen