Citing Nationwide Insecurity, Sapele Residents Call For Tightened Surveillance Amid Suspicious Movements

By Endurance Ikanone

Residents of Sapele in Delta State have appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Army to intensify surveillance across the LGA following reports of suspicious movements by unidentified individuals believed to resemble armed groups.

Their call comes against the backdrop of rising security concerns nationwide, particularly after recent incidents in Kwara State, where communities have experienced renewed attacks, abductions, and widespread fear. Similar patterns of insecurity have been recorded in other parts of the country, prompting citizens across Nigeria to remain cautious and vigilant.

Several residents who spoke with newsmen disclosed that they observed a group of unfamiliar men exhibiting suspicious behaviour near the Okirighwre Bridge in Mosogar Town, as well as in parts of Amukpe, within the Sapele vicinity. According to the witnesses, the individuals appeared to be moving in a coordinated manner that raised concern among locals.

The residents, who pleaded anonymity for their safety, said the sighting immediately sparked worry, especially given the trend of criminal elements relocating from one state to another when under pressure from security agencies.

“We saw their movement, and it looked unusual,” one resident explained. “Considering what has been happening in places like Kwara and other parts of the country, we cannot take anything for granted. We just want the authorities to investigate.”

Another resident noted that the individuals carried themselves in a manner that resembled organized groups that have caused unrest in other regions. The witness added that although there was no direct confrontation, their appearance and movement pattern were unsettling enough to alert the community.

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The appeal from Sapele residents echoes growing national calls for strengthened security measures as Nigeria faces diverse threats ranging from kidnapping to banditry and inter community clashes. Recent attacks in Kwara State have especially heightened concerns, with security analysts warning that criminal groups often shift operations across state borders to evade detection.

According to the community members, what they witnessed should serve as a signal to security agencies to intensify patrols, improve intelligence gathering, and closely monitor unfamiliar movements, particularly in strategic locations such as bridges, junctions, and border communities.

“We are urging the police, the army, and the DSS to take this seriously,” another resident said. “This is a sensitive period, and any suspicious movement should be checked immediately. Prevention is always better than reaction.”

The residents also encouraged collaboration between security agencies, traditional institutions, and local vigilante groups to strengthen surveillance and ensure prompt reporting of any unusual activity. They stressed that easy movement of unknown individuals without proper monitoring could expose the area to avoidable risks.

As the nation continues to grapple with heightened insecurity, Sapele residents maintain hope that swift security responses and proactive measures will help safeguard the community and prevent the region from becoming vulnerable to criminal infiltration.