By Samuel Ogude
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, has expressed deep concern over the worsening state of insecurity in the country, lamenting the increasing loss of lives and property across Nigeria. The Union made its position known on Wednesday in a communiqué issued at the end of its monthly congress held at the Chapel’s Secretariat, 3 Eburu Street, Okumagba Layout, Warri, Delta State.
The communiqué specifically condemned the reported abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools, including a nursery school in Oyo State, by suspected terrorists. According to the Union, Congress was saddened by reports that a male teacher attached to one of the affected schools was beheaded, while the kidnapped pupils were allegedly being subjected to torture and inhumane treatment in captivity.
The Chapel called on security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify efforts toward the immediate rescue and safe release of the abducted children and all other kidnapping victims across the country. On cultism and violent crimes, the Union condemned the recent cult-related killings in the Cemetery and Iyara areas of Warri, where two persons were reportedly stabbed to death in separate attacks by rival cult groups on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Congress urged security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those behind the killings and other cult-related crimes in the metropolis. The Union also called on the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Comrade Isaac Agbateyiniro, to take proactive measures aimed at curbing cultism and restoring peace and order in the area.
It further advised parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against involvement in cultism and other criminal activities capable of endangering public safety and destroying their future. On infrastructure development, the Union commended Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for the ongoing construction of major flyovers at PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout and Enerhen Junction to ease vehicular movement within Warri and Effurun.
However, the Chapel expressed concern over what it described as indiscriminate parking and roadside trading activities by commercial tricycle operators and traders around the Enerhen Junction axis, warning that the situation was undermining the purpose of the flyover project. The Union therefore called on the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Hon. (Chief) Anthony Ofoni, to urgently decongest the affected areas and restore sanity to the environment.
The Congress also condemned alleged extortion and harassment of motorists by some police operatives stationed along major roads in Warri, Uvwie, Udu, Ughelli and neighbouring communities. The Union specifically accused some officers of extorting commercial bus drivers, tricycle operators and motorcyclists, and called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to address the issue decisively in order to protect the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.
It also urged the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, to caution officers and men under his command against extortion, intimidation and dehumanisation of innocent citizens. The NUJ further raised concerns over the misuse of social media by some government aides and political actors, accusing them of making inflammatory statements and unguarded utterances capable of heating up the polity.
The Chapel urged political stakeholders to embrace responsible communication, issue-based engagements and actions that would promote peace, unity and democratic stability. The communiqué reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel to promoting responsible journalism, good governance, peace, and the protection of citizens’ rights and welfare.