A wave of child abductions in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State has thrown the community into panic, forcing parents to keep their children indoors for fear of kidnappers. Many pupils have been unable to resume school since the new term began, as families struggle to come to terms with the disturbing trend.
Residents claim more than 40 children have been abducted in recent months, with some saying the kidnappings occur almost weekly. Earlier this month, angry protesters, including parents of missing children, blocked major roads, crippled business activities, and marched to the palace of the Osuvie of Agbarho Kingdom as well as the local police station to demand action. They accused security agencies of complicity, alleging that some officers demanded ₦100,000 before commencing investigations.
Tensions boiled over this week when an irate mob set ablaze a woman accused of attempting to abduct a seven-year-old boy, whom she allegedly tried to conceal inside a bag. The lynching has further heightened fears and drawn widespread condemnation.
Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, described the situation as heartbreaking and unacceptable. In a strongly worded statement, he said the spate of abductions had left families shattered and the entire community gripped by fear. He condemned the mob action that claimed the suspect’s life, warning that jungle justice would only worsen the crisis and put innocent lives at risk.
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“I extend my deepest sympathies to the grieving families,” the senator said. “Every missing child is a stolen future. I call on the Delta State Police Command, the Ughelli Area Command, and federal agencies to intensify investigations, strengthen patrols, and collaborate with NAPTIP to dismantle trafficking or ritual networks. The community must remain vigilant but resist mob action.”
He urged community leaders, under the authority of the Ovie of Agbarho, to coordinate neighbourhood watches, improve parental vigilance, and strengthen cooperation with schools in order to protect children.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Delta State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, for comments on the spate of abductions and the mob killing of the female suspect, proved unsuccessful, fueling concerns over the silence of law enforcement.
The situation in Agbarho remains tense, with residents calling for urgent intervention to stop what many now describe as a child abduction epidemic in Delta State.
