By our reporter 3-6-2025
Security agents have allegedly opened fire on Delta State University students and residents protesting incessant kidnapping of citizens in Abraka, Delta State.
The peaceful protest which has lasted for six days turned bloody on Monday when a team of army and police officers descended on Abraka and allegedly fired warning shots sending the marchers scampering in all directions for safety. No death was recorded, but there was injury to many of the protesters.
Some of the residents condemned the action of the security agents and the government who rather than protect them from criminals are now beating them down for crying out over the kidnappings happening in the often-peaceful University town.
“We the people are tired of being hunted like animals,” said a resident
“We’ve begged the police to act, but the kidnappers are growing bolder by the day. Now they’re responding with bullets instead of giving us protection.”
Delta State University Student Union only joined the protest on Monday and had issued a 72-hour ultimatum on May 29 to the state’s Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, to restore security in the area.
However, it was gathered that the situation escalated when one of the protesters allegedly threw a stone at security agent. Rather than be restrained in their reaction the security agents opened fire.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed that the Commissioner of Police had directed the Area Commander to take control of the situation in Abraka.
“The Area Commander has handled the matter, and the protesters have dispersed,” Edafe said. “It was later that we heard that somebody was shot, and until now, nobody has brought the DPO to the alleged victim to confirm this.
“If they said somebody was shot, they should be able to give us a name and location.”
Meanwhile, community sources confirmed that the Area Commander had addressed the protesters earlier in the day, assuring them of planned police operations to comb the surrounding bushlands in search of the kidnappers.