Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A wave of terror has engulfed the ancient Oghara Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State following a brazen attack by gunmen who killed a man and abducted a couple in their home, an incident that has sent shockwaves through the community and renewed calls for urgent government intervention to address the escalating security crisis in the region.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, June 30, 2026, targeted a family in their residence in the Scot area of Oghara, a community that has witnessed a disturbing pattern of violence in recent weeks. According to eyewitness accounts, a group of heavily armed men stormed the home of the victims, shooting sporadically and creating panic before whisking away the couple and fatally wounding another resident who attempted to intervene. The abducted couple, whose identities have not been officially released, were reportedly dragged into a waiting vehicle and driven to an unknown destination, leaving the community in a state of shock and grief.
Security sources confirmed that the attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued Oghara Kingdom, where criminal elements have increasingly targeted residents for abduction and murder. The killing of the man, who was shot at close range, has heightened fears among residents, who have expressed concern over the apparent inability of security agencies to curb the growing threat of armed groups operating in the area. Community leaders have condemned the attack, describing it as a barbaric act that underscores the deteriorating security situation in the kingdom. "This is unacceptable. We are living in fear, and the government must act now to protect us," a community elder told our correspondent on condition of anonymity.
The latest attack is not an isolated incident. Oghara Kingdom has become a hotspot for criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and cult-related violence. In recent weeks, the Delta State Police Command has made significant breakthroughs in its fight against crime in the area. On June 7, 2026, police operatives arrested a notorious kidnap gang led by one Owei Abebo, alias "Adusa," who was on the command's watch-list since 2021, and also arrested 184 suspected internet fraudsters in separate coordinated operations. The gang's latest plot involved planned coordinated kidnappings across Sapele and Oghara, which was successfully foiled after their arrest. However, the persistence of attacks, such as the latest one involving the abduction of the couple, has raised questions about the effectiveness of these operations.
In February 2026, the Delta State Police Command arrested three suspected cultists linked to kidnappings within Ughelli, Warri, Sapele, and its environs in the Oghara community. Despite these efforts, residents have complained that the security situation has not significantly improved. The Oghara Elite Forum (OEF) has previously called on relevant security agencies to investigate the alleged extra-judicial killings of two youths from Ijomi Community of Oghara Kingdom in Mosogar Kingdom, Ethiope West Local Government Area, in February 2025. The forum expressed concern over what it described as the "misguided abduction and extra-judicial killings" of the youths by vigilante members from Mosogar.
The latest attack has left the community in mourning, with residents calling on the Delta State Government and security agencies to take decisive action to address the escalating insecurity. The traditional institutions in Oghara Kingdom have also expressed concern, with the Oghara Elite Forum condemning the extra-judicial killing of two indigenes and calling for a thorough investigation. The Delta State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the latest attack, but the rising tide of violence has placed the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori under increasing pressure to act.
Residents have demanded improved security patrols, better intelligence gathering, and the deployment of more security personnel to the area. The community has also called for the establishment of a permanent security post to deter criminal elements. "We cannot continue to live like this. The government must do something before more lives are lost," said a resident who spoke to our correspondent.
As the search for the abducted couple continues, the people of Oghara Kingdom are left to grapple with the trauma of the attack and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. The latest tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to security in Delta State, one that combines law enforcement with community engagement and development initiatives to address the root causes of crime and violence.
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