Hundreds of Abraka youths in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday evening embarked on a mass protest against operatives of Operation Delta Sweep following the killing of a yet-to-be-identified pregnant woman.
SaharaReporters reliably gathered that the combined security operatives were chasing occupants of a white Mercedes-Benz car suspected to be internet fraudsters, popularly known as “yahoo boys,” when they allegedly opened fire on the vehicle.
A stray bullet hit the pregnant woman, leading to her untimely death.
The woman was immediately rushed to Eku General Hospital in the neighbouring community of Eku, but doctors on duty confirmed her dead on arrival.
Youths Take to the Streets
Following the incident, youths in the university community mobilised and stormed the streets of Abraka.
They blocked major roads, set tyres ablaze, and chanted war songs while calling on Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to immediately sack the state’s Director-General on Security Matters, David Tonwe, whom they described as “a novice” on security issues in the state.
Protesters Condemn Security Outfit
The protesting youths said the purpose for which the security outfit was created in the state had been defeated. They argued that the DG, who has spent nearly ten years in office, had “exhausted his usefulness” and “knows virtually nothing about security,” hence Operation Delta Sweep under his watch has continued to deviate from its original mandate.
They further alleged that operatives under Tonwe’s control are mostly deployed for VIP occasions and to provide escorts for politicians, rather than tackling violent crimes.
According to them, the outfit, which was established after the #EndSARS protest to respond to violent crimes and maintain law and order, has failed to record any notable arrest of kidnappers since its inception.
Instead, the operatives are accused of targeting suspected yahoo boys and extorting money from innocent youths across the state.
One of the youth leaders, who identified himself as Kevwe, said, "That office, if handled by a better and experienced person with good knowledge of security issues, a lot could be achieved.
“The DG has overstayed his usefulness. He does not even respond to emergencies. He has overstayed, and we are using this opportunity to call on the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to overhaul that office and bring in a very proactive person who can think outside the box because the issue of security must be taken very seriously.
"David Tonwe has been in that office from the inception of former governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration as governor of Delta State, and what are his achievements as DG?
“In one voice, we, the Abraka youths, have spoken loud and clear: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should immediately sack the DG and replace him with a better person with better knowledge of security matters.”
“The DG only sits in the office there in Asaba collecting money for security while there is nothing to write home about," Kevwe stated.
SaharaReporters gathered that activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who was present in Abraka, intervened to calm the angry youths, urging them to maintain peace and helping to prevent the incident from escalating further.
Gwamnishu said, "This tragic incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for accountability. I’m calling on the Delta State Government to immediately set up a Human Rights Committee to investigate and address cases of human rights violations across the state.
“It should ensure that Operation Sweep strictly adheres to its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP); anything outside this is lawlessness. The voices of the Abraka people were clear and bitter.
"Operation Sweep has strayed from its purpose. Instead of protecting lives, many alleged that they are harassing and extorting young people. Immediately reach out to the family of the deceased lady.”
“We cannot continue to lose innocent lives to negligence and abuse of power. Security should mean protection, not intimidation. My gratitude goes to Comrade Akima Umukoro, Comrade Efe Inaya, Comrade Godstime, the DPO Abraka, and other stakeholders who stood firm today to maintain peace in Abraka. But peace without justice is fragile. The government must act,” he added.
Efforts to reach the Delta State Director-General on Security Matters, David Tonwe, for comments were unsuccessful as his mobile line could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
Similarly, attempts to contact the spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, were unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor responded to a message sent to him.
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