CONCERNED parents in the Agbarho community have described the alleged continued kidnapping of their children as worrisome and disturbing, as they called on the Delta State Government to intervene.
Speaking during a protest held at Agbarho 5 Junction in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, the protesters accused the community leadership of neglect.
An affected parent, Elisha, while narrating his ordeal on his missing child, said, “When we returned from church service, my wife took our senior daughter to plait her hair in preparation for school.
“She left our four-year-old twins, Joan and Divine and her sister, and after a while, one of the twins came to tell us that one brother sent Divine on an errand, and since then, we have not seen her.
Another parent, Clifford Obrutche, whose two children, Emmanuel and Wealth and those of his cousin were declared missing, lamented the supposed nonchalant attitude of the community leadership.
He said: “On May 3, 2025, I was at work when I was called that my four-year-old Emmanuel was missing, and when I came, I went to the community to report, and they directed me to the police to state the matter, which I did, and to date, nothing has been done.
‘’Again, on June 29, 2025, my six-year-old daughter, Wealth by name, was kidnapped, and on July 25, my younger brother’s four-year-old child, Amazing Grace. I suspected a family member and invited the police, but they said they could not find any evidence. So, the person was released.
“They were asking me to come today, come tomorrow, until the Agbarho Divisional Police Officer (DPO) told me that they could not establish any evidence against the suspect.
“We have tried our best to rescue these children all to no avail, and that is why we are using this peaceful protest to appeal to the state Governor to come to our rescue” he said.
One of the protesters, who did not identify, accused the community leaders of turning a deaf ear to the plight of the Agbarho people.
He said, “This thing has been occurring in Agbarho communities, and our leaders are not doing anything about the incessant kidnapping, and the DPO told us that he has discussed with them, but they are not showing concern.
“We, the youths of Agbarho, took it upon ourselves since our leaders have failed us to embark on this peaceful protest, and if nothing is done to rescue the missing children, we will have no option but to resort to self-help.”
The President-General of Agbarho kingdom, Mr OghenekevweEdoja, who declined comment, simply said, “Hope you are doing your job, I will allow you to do your job.”
