Army enforces curfew in Delta community over insecurity

The Nigerian Army has commenced the enforcement of compliance to a curfew imposed by the Aniocha South Local Government Area in Ogwashi-Uku community in Delta State.

The curfew was imposed following the wave of violent kidnappings in Ogwashi-Uku, the headquarters of Aniocha South LGA.

The latest development followed a general outcry by the villagers after soldiers stormed the community at about 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025, forcing shops to close down and brutalising most villagers seen on the streets.

However, the spokesperson of the 63 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Asaba, Major Emmanuel Onoja, on Monday night, disclosed that the presence of the soldiers followed the resurgence of violent kidnappings in Ogwashi-Uku and its environs over the past three months.

Onoja said: “What happened last Sunday night was a case of emergency. We received a distress call that there was a kidnapping incident going on in that area, so a team of soldiers responded to the emergency.

“However, when they got there, because it was almost dark, so in our bid to capture the kidnappers, the suspects ran and infiltrated the streets, thereby mixing with the villagers on the streets.

“And you know as a professional army, we cannot open fire in the street where there are many villagers, so the suspects were able to escape.

“So, the soldiers decided to clear the streets, sending everyone inside because it was already late. We learnt there is a curfew in place just that the residents were not observing it.

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“The curfew is between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. imposed by the local government council in an effort to check the rampant cases of kidnappings in the community, but the people have not been observing the curfew order.

“So, following the incident, the soldiers decided to enforce the curfew so that the situation can be put under control, that is what actually happened.”

Many residents of the community who witnessed the incident have cried out for justice over what they described as a horrible ordeal in the hands of the soldiers.

It was gathered that most residents who were out on the streets that Sunday night sustained minor injuries, as they ran for safety following the soldiers’ invasion.

Some shop owners complained of harassment and intimidation from the soldiers who stormed drinking bars, brutalising customers and shutting down businesses.

A youth leader in the community, who pleaded anonymity, said many villagers were not aware of a curfew in place in the community.

The youth leader: “We were surprised by the soldiers’ behaviour; many residents who witnessed the attack, got injured, some fell inside gutters while running, while many others received the beating of their lives.

“A friend of mine who runs a barbing saloon was mercilessly flogged and he fell down begging the soldiers to allow him close his shop.

“Though we appreciate the job the soldiers came to do, we also expect them to respect our freedom to exercise our rights, not intimidation and harassment.”

The Star