As part of his commitment to keeping Okpanam safe and free from criminal elements and crime, the Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty (Dr) Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, today, alerted the state Governor, His Excellency Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on a renewed crime rate in the Kingdom.
To this end, the Ugoani has identified what he called, “Flash points of criminals“ in the kingdom, that need to be purged and rid of such suspected criminal elements, failing which, such persons would continue to operate with impunity, to the detriment of the inhabitants of the Kingdom.
In a letter to the state governor, titled, “Cocktail of Armed Robberies and Kidnappings in Okpanam Kingdom”, dated 6th March, 2026, the Ugoani identified the flash points to include Ani Uzo Olu, in Obodogwugwu Quaters; Pinnacle Hotel Junction; and Igwogwo Area, in Amachai Quaters.
At Ani Uzo Olu, in Obodogwugwu Quaters, the Ugoani said, the area was currently witnessing cases of incessant kidnappings, as attested to when a gentleman who hails from Cross River State-Nsika Nelson, was kidnapped last week Saturday, and his dead body was dumped in a farmland, penultimate Sunday morning. This, he said was in addition to more than nine cases of kidnappings in the area in the past, with the victims compelled to pay ransom.
At the Pinnacle Hotel Juction, the Ugoani hinted that, it was a common site to see young men, aged between 17 and 25 mill around, “but the truth is that, they are suspected robbers and drug peddlers”.
A random interrogation of the residents of the area, he said, would unravel the harrowing experience they are wallowing in”, adding that, there is a tunnel, traversing across the road, from where the aforementioned undesirable elements emerge, and or escape after carrying out their infamous act.
At the Igwogwo Area in Amachai Quarters, the Ugoani disclosed that, there is a gang of suspected robbers, numbering over 20, who specialize in breaking into houses, to rob the occupants at will, while wielding
sophisticated weapons. “It is sad that these criminal elements, in some cases carry their infamous activities to the Benin/ Asaba Expressway”, the Monarch added.
The Ugoani, however, expressed gratitude to Gov Oborevwori and his administration for previous prompt response to the distress cry of Okpanam people to his office, regarding the nefarious activities of the proscribed Indegenous People of Biafra, IPOB at Obodogwugwu farmland.
“We salute you, Your Excellency, because, you moved into the vast land to clear all vestiges of IPOB operations in the area, though, we suspect that they are beginning to reassemble, yet again.”
“We, therefore, appeal that you give a listening ear to our present distress call, by putting machinery in motion to clear all undesirable elements, who have taken sanctuary in some parts of Okpanam Kingdom and making life unbearable to the Innocent inhabitants”, the Ugoani added.
