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• As DELSU suspends academic activities
Gov. Sheriff Oborevbori
From our news desk, Benin
Police killing of four suspected kidnappers in Abraka, Delta State on Wednesday, 4 June, 2025, has heightened ethnic tension in the University town threatening the breakdown of law and order.
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According to media reports, a student told Sahara Reporters: “There has been an increase in kidnapping lately here in Abraka so students protested about it… that led to what happened today where four suspected kidnappers were killed by the police.
“So in response, the Hausas here were like those guys are innocent. Now they are entering the street with knives and cutlasses.
“If you school in Abraka, Delta State, or have any relative that school there, tell them to stay safe,” the student source added.
Multiple videos and photos obtained show chaotic scenes across Abraka, including armed mobs roaming the streets, bodies lying in pools of blood, and buildings in Hausa-dominated areas under threat of attack, it was stated.
Kidnapping incidents have reportedly become widespread across the State, particularly in Abraka.
On Wednesday night, fresh violence was said to have erupted in Abraka following a deadly clash between security operatives and suspected kidnappers that left four of them dead.
The incident, which took place in the Makati Bichi Area near the railway station, sparked a wave of reprisals targeting Hausa residents, which many persons fear could spiral into full-scale ethnic conflict if not quickly tamed.
A resident said: “There have been a lot of kidnappings since the beginning of this year. So early this morning (Wednesday), some local hunters, railway station workers, and the police at Makati Bichi area went to rescue some kidnapped victims.
“So they were encountered by some herdsmen suspected to be kidnappers; they had guns. Some of them even had some of the ransom money that they collected, and so many, many things. They started shooting, and the police and hunters successfully killed some of them.
“So later this afternoon, some northern residents got angry and entered the bush. They saw people on the farm and killed two men.
“The deceased persons were later taken by the police to their station,” the resident added.
Further, another source said to be privy to the aftermath of the operation was quoted to have narrated: “Due to the recent kidnappings and insecurities, few of the kidnappers were caught and killed today.”
The source added: “And they were identified as herdsmen from the northern part of the country.
“Two policemen were attacked and killed as well by the kidnappers, so we heard. So in retaliation, the indigenes of Abraka are currently attacking all Hausa immigrants in sight.
“They are also threatening to burn down the Hausa Quarters at Abraka this evening.”
Taking precaution, the management of Delta State University has therefore suspended academic activities.
The suspension was pronounced by the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Samuel Asagba, in a statement.
This is happening ahead of an emergency security meeting convened by the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, scheduled Thursday, 5 June, 2025 at the Government House.
A statement from the University reads: “I wish to inform you all that due to the security situation in Abraka town, I have directed all our students to remain indoors today, Thursday, June 5, 2025, until Management is certain of the safety of both staff and students.
“Consequently, lectures and other academic activities will not hold today, Thursday, June 5, 2025. Let us all hope for a return to normality after the public holidays.”
Some residents of the State earlier called for urgent action from Governor Oborevwori following the killing of a young man by suspected kidnappers, it was said.
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