By Austin Oyibode
In a bold and urgent address to the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North has raised the alarm over escalating insecurity in his constituency, warning that unchecked violence is driving rural communities into crisis and crippling agricultural productivity.
During a recent plenary session, Senator Nwoko delivered a stark warning about the deteriorating security situation, particularly the growing menace of armed herdsmen who, he says, now dominate farmlands across Delta North.
“In every farm in Delta, there are herdsmen terrorising and killing our farmers. Our farmers can no longer go to farm,” Nwoko lamented. “Insecurity is everywhere.”
Despite Delta’s status as one of Nigeria’s oil-rich states, Nwoko underscored the irony of a region blessed with natural resources yet plagued by food insecurity, as farming, the economic backbone of most rural dwellers, has been rendered nearly impossible.
He noted that in areas spared environmental degradation, insecurity has taken over.
A Call for Decentralized Security
Nwoko criticized the over-reliance on federal security apparatuses, advocating instead for a more localized, proactive response from state governments.
He called on governors to urgently support and institutionalize community-based vigilante networks as a frontline defense mechanism.
“Everything cannot be left to the federal government. The state governments must also form and fund vigilantes in every community,” he stressed.
Action Beyond Rhetoric
Backing his words with tangible efforts, Senator Nwoko launched a grassroots security initiative on December 17, 2024.
In a partnership with the Defence Space Administration, over 60 vigilante operatives from Delta North were trained and equipped with essential communication tools.
The training, held at his senatorial office in Asaba, aimed to reinforce local capacity to combat crime and protect lives.
Represented at the event by his Director of Security, Comrade Joshua Opia, Nwoko emphasized that security and stability are foundational to development.
“The progress of Delta North and Nigeria in general remains the centerpiece of my legislative agenda,” he said.
Community Voices and Commitment
Vigilante leaders from across Anioma communities including Ndokwa/Ukwuani, Aniocha/Oshimili, and Ika, shared harrowing accounts of violence and pledged their commitment to defending their communities.
Among the speakers were Monday Chukwuji, Awaji Chukwuka, Chukwuma Nwoko, Nwankwo Francis Ikezue, and Idehen Alfred.
Nwoko, a long-time advocate for the creation of Anioma State and a champion of community empowerment, urged the vigilantes to stay disciplined and dedicated, assuring them that their sacrifices would not go unnoticed.
The Bigger Picture
Senator Nwoko’s call resonates far beyond Delta North. As insecurity deepens across Nigeria, especially in agricultural zones, the need for a reimagined, decentralized security framework has never been more urgent.
His appeal throws the spotlight on a growing consensus: without localized solutions and committed state leadership, national security will remain a fragile illusion.
Delta North is bleeding, its farmers are in fear, and its future is at risk. The time for speeches is over — action must follow.
