Angry residents in parts of Delta State have called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to take firm action against some traditional rulers and community vigilante members accused of colluding with Fulani herdsmen involved in widespread kidnapping activities.
In recent months, the affected communities—Ibusa, Abavo, and Issele-Uku—have witnessed continued abductions, prompting locals to uncover troubling connections between criminal herders and individuals entrusted with their protection. Findings suggest that some royal fathers secretly accepted cash and cows from Fulani herdsmen in exchange for access to forests, where the herders reportedly set up criminal hideouts.
Despite proactive steps by the state government to combat insecurity, including efforts to restructure the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency, concerns persist about the politicisation of security appointments. Activist Harrison Gwamnishu warned that the revised Security Corps Bill allows politicians to nominate vigilante members, potentially undermining community trust and safety.
While the government is yet to sanction any traditional rulers, residents are urging a crackdown on complicit monarchs. They argue that failure to punish these leaders emboldens criminal elements and jeopardises efforts to rid the state of kidnappers. Some residents claim vigilantes and youth, lured by money, act as informants to herders, aiding in the abduction of locals.
The Delta State House of Assembly recently held a public hearing to amend the law governing community policing. However, residents insist the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies must screen nominees to prevent further infiltration by herdsmen and criminal collaborators.
A source revealed that certain monarchs only confide in loyal community leaders and vigilante heads, who cooperate with the herders. These herdsmen, often armed with AK-47 rifles, infiltrate forests under the guise of cattle grazing but turn them into kidnapping bases. Victims include both locals and travellers.
The allegations echo comments made years ago by former Delta State Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, who said traditional rulers were collecting money from herders in return for land. He noted that such arrangements helped kidnappers establish strongholds in community forests.
Similarly, Pere S.P. Luke, Kalanama VII, a top monarch in the state, recalled being told by the police that many royal fathers had sold disputed lands to herders, who in turn infiltrated community vigilante groups to gain insider access and carry out kidnappings.
While many community leaders are under scrutiny, not all succumbed to temptation. In Egbo-Kokori, 95-year-old Pa Uhurhemue Erhiahwe rejected a N10 million bribe and cow gifts offered by Fulani herders. He said he refused the offer because the herders had been destroying farmlands and attacking villagers, including women.
“They tried to bribe me, but I refused. Even if they offered me a billion, I wouldn’t accept it. This is our home, and we must protect it,” Erhiahwe told NDV.
Residents say similar firm stands by other leaders are needed if the state is to overcome the deep-rooted collaboration that has allowed kidnappers to thrive. They also urged the Delta State Government to emulate recent actions taken in Edo State, where monarchs complicit in aiding kidnappers were suspended.
With public pressure mounting, attention now turns to Governor Oborevwori and the Delta State House of Assembly to ensure the revised security framework is not undermined by political interference and to hold accountable any traditional rulers or vigilantes found to be complicit in endangering their communities.
