Security agents reportedly opened fire on unarmed residents protesting the unrelenting wave of kidnappings in Abraka community, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation from civil rights activists and students.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, June 2, disrupted the ongoing peaceful demonstration organized by residents and students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, who have been staging daily protests over what they describe as unchecked abductions in the university town.
Though no deaths were recorded, one protester was injured in the face and seen bleeding heavily, according to eyewitnesses.
Panic erupted as the protesters, many holding placards demanding security and accountability, fled in different directions.
Shots were heard ringing out as security personnel advanced to take control of the protest ground.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed that the state Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, had directed the area commander to intervene and de-escalate the situation.
“The area commander has handled the matter, and the protesters have dispersed,” Edafe said.
Reacting to reports of one protester being injured, Edafe said: “It was later that we heard that somebody was shot, and until this moment, nobody has been able to take the divisional police officer to the person they claimed was shot so that we can see the person.”
When told that eyewitnesses confirmed the incident, Edafe replied, “if they said somebody was shot, they should be able to give us a name and location.”
Abraka has been in the grip of abductions in recent months, with kidnappers reportedly operating brazenly across the university town and its environs.
Residents accuse the police in Abraka division of turning a blind eye, enabling the criminals to kidnap people at will.
The daily protests began last week, with residents occupying a popular junction in the community to draw attention to the deteriorating security situation.
On May 29, DELSU students issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the state police command to act or risk mass student participation in the protest.
As the deadline expired, students mobilized and joined the residents at the protest venue, demanding urgent action from the state government and security agencies.
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According to sources, the area vommander addressed the crowd, assuring them that a directive had been issued to conduct bush-combing operations to flush out the kidnappers.
He appealed for calm and cooperation from the residents.
The Students Union Government (SUG) President, Augustine Onovughegor, who spoke on behalf of the students, accused the police of negligence and warned that the students would resume protests if, within two days, no improvement in security was observed.
He then led the students away from the venue.
Shortly after the students and some protesters departed, tension flared again.
Eyewitnesses claim that a protester threw a stone at a security officer, prompting an aggressive response from armed personnel, who fired live rounds to disperse the remaining protesters.
The incident has sparked sharp criticism from activists, who accuse the authorities of responding with violence instead of protecting citizens.
