The Agbarho community in Ughelli North, Delta State, is currently enduring a distressing period marked by fear and sorrow. Since December 2024, over 30 children have mysteriously disappeared, leaving families devastated and the once vibrant town cloaked in anxiety. The joyous sounds of children playing have been replaced by an unsettling silence, as parents grapple with the anguish of unanswered questions.
These disappearances predominantly involve children aged between three and ten years, many of whom vanished while going about their daily routines-some never returned from school, while others disappeared while playing near their homes. Despite repeated appeals to local authorities and security agencies, progress in locating the missing children has been minimal, intensifying the community’s frustration and mistrust.
Parental fears have escalated to the point where many are reluctant to allow their children to attend school unaccompanied, and suspicion has begun to erode neighborly bonds. In response to the ongoing crisis, a significant protest took place in July 2025, led mainly by grieving women. Clad in black, they marched through Agbarho’s main streets, carrying signs with messages such as “Return Our Children,” “End the Kidnappings,” and “Justice for Our Kids,” their chants echoing the community’s collective pain.
The unrest did not subside, as another demonstration erupted on September 16, with women halting commercial activities and taking to the streets once more. This protest was sparked by fresh reports of abductions, including the disappearance of a child belonging to a prominent local figure, signaling a breaking point for a community overwhelmed by trauma.
Protesters blocked key intersections, including the well-known Five Junction, singing songs of solidarity and holding photographs of the missing children-some so young they had barely begun to speak when they vanished. The emotional intensity of the protests highlighted not only grief but also a desperate demand for immediate and effective action.
Anger was directed at local leadership as demonstrators marched to the palace of the Osuvie of Agbarho Kingdom and the town’s police station, accusing officials of negligence and a lack of transparency. They criticized the authorities for failing to conduct thorough investigations or implement measures to safeguard the remaining children.
One mother’s tearful plea captured the community’s despair: “We cannot find peace or rest. Our children’s safety is no longer guaranteed. What else can we do?” The women vowed to persist in their protests until their children are found or those responsible are held accountable.
The community also condemned the rise of get-rich-quick mentalities, which have driven many youths into criminal activities such as ritual practices, internet fraud (commonly known as “Yahoo Yahoo”), kidnapping, and armed robbery. When the first child disappeared in December 2024, authorities reportedly took no substantial action, prompting the affected families to unite and fight for justice despite their vulnerability.
As social life in Agbarho ground to a halt and tensions escalated, His Royal Majesty Ogurimerime Okorefe I, the Ovie of Agbarho Kingdom, denounced the wave of child abductions, describing it as “an act of war against our people.” Similarly, His Royal Majesty Sampson Ogugu I, the Osuvie of Agbarho Kingdom, revealed that he had previously called for the removal of the Divisional Police Officer overseeing the area due to rising insecurity, yet the problem persisted.
Residents like Mrs. Itohan Orugbo and Mrs. Efe Okoro expressed deep dissatisfaction with government and security responses, questioning whether the missing children would still be unaccounted for if they were related to influential politicians. “We live in constant fear,” they lamented.
The monarch urged security agencies to act decisively to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order, emphasizing that the insecurity in Agbarho reflects a broader trend across Delta State. He also called on community vigilantes to intensify patrols and advised parents to remain vigilant over their children.
Tragically, the situation worsened as two more children were abducted shortly after schools reopened, prompting yet another protest the following Tuesday. Among the victims was Divine Agege, a four-year-old boy taken shortly after returning from church. His parents, Favour and Elisha Agege, described the heartbreaking circumstances of his disappearance and the toll it has taken on their family, both emotionally and financially.
Mrs. Favour Agege, overwhelmed with grief, pleaded for the safe return of her son, appealing to the abductors’ compassion by sharing the hardships she endured during his birth via cesarean section.
The ongoing series of child disappearances has heightened security concerns and panic among parents, leading to widespread protests that disrupted traffic and business activities. Demonstrators also confronted the Agbarho police station, demanding urgent action to recover the missing children, especially those linked to community leaders.
While the exact details of the abductions remain unclear, SP Bright Edafe, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta Command, assured the public that investigations are underway. He cited a recent case where a woman drugged another during a trip from Koko to Warri and abducted her two-month-old baby. The suspect, Mrs. Joy Temitope Oyetimi, was apprehended, and the infant safely returned to the parents.
Protesters have called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Police Command to urgently address the alarming trend, alleging that dozens of children have gone missing in the past year. Aghogho Imoni, a protest participant, accused security agencies of mere lip service, noting that many missing children remain unaccounted for.
Princess Akpo, another community member, expressed the pervasive fear among parents, highlighting the weekly abductions and criticizing the state government and security forces for their inaction. She revealed that some missing children include those of prominent local figures.
In response, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, chairman of Ughelli North local government council, announced a ban on iron scavengers-known locally as “Iron Condemned”-within Agbarho Kingdom. This decision followed reports of a suspected scavenger caught attempting to kidnap a child. Egbo also established an investigative committee, led by ACP Adebayo, to thoroughly examine the situation and prevent future incidents.
Egbo emphasized the need for proper profiling of scavengers and warned that any caught operating without authorization would face legal consequences. He assured the community that seven missing children had been confirmed and that efforts to locate them were ongoing. Additionally, support has been extended to affected families, including educational assistance and business start-up aid for some mothers.
Dr. Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government, highlighted the stringent laws under the Action Plan for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), stressing the importance of legal measures to combat such crimes. He acknowledged the profound impact of GBV globally and noted that men also suffer violence, often silently.
Hon. Pat Ajudua, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, reaffirmed Delta State’s commitment to eradicating GBV, declaring, “No more silence. No more stigma. No more impunity.”
The Ruby Awareness Initiative Foundation (RAIF), a non-profit organization, pledged its support for nurturing and empowering both boys and girls. Founder Miss Omonigho Oborevwori emphasized the foundation’s goal of raising confident, supported youth who are unafraid to lead and express themselves.
Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, Commander of the 63 Brigade and Sector 1 Joint Task Force, Operation DELTA SAFE, reassured residents of the Army’s dedication to safeguarding lives and maintaining peace throughout Delta State. He called for strengthened trust between the military and local communities and cited the recent successful rescue of Major M.D. Josiah, who was abducted in Bomadi, as evidence of their commitment.
Hon. David Tonwe, Director-General of Delta State Security, confirmed ongoing investigations into the child disappearances and urged the community to remain calm, promising timely updates as the situation develops.
In a collaborative effort, leaders from Agbarho women’s groups, the Royal Palace, and the Agbarho Descendants Union convened with the Ughelli Police Area Commander and Divisional Police Officers. They agreed to implement more robust strategies to combat the rising incidents of child abduction.
Representatives from the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilante groups, and other security agencies also participated, signaling a united front against the ongoing security challenges in Agbarho.
