ASABA, NIGERIA — In a major effort to strengthen internal security and safeguard local communities, the Executive Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Chief Anthony Onoriode Ofoni, has called on the people of Uvwie to embrace a renewed sense of shared vigilance. Traveling from Effurun to the state capital of Asaba, the council boss joined an array of high-profile stakeholders for the high-level Delta State Security Summit.
The state-sponsored summit, structured around the theme "Security, A Collective Responsibility," served as a critical platform for policymakers, traditional rulers, administrative heads, and security experts. Together, they met to analyze current threat matrices and formulate actionable strategies to protect lives and property across the state's distinct regions.
Drawing directly from the keynote address delivered by the Executive Governor of Delta State, Chief Ofoni strongly agreed with the principle that a guaranteed environment of peace is the primary foundation upon which sustainable economic growth, infrastructure advancement, and social transformation are built. He warned that without structural safety, even the most well-intentioned development plans will fail.
Consequently, the Uvwie council chief issued an immediate charge to the various military, paramilitary, and local intelligence outfits operating within his jurisdiction. He urged them to significantly intensify their daily tactical operations and preventive policing measures, emphasizing that external criminal elements and domestic perpetrators of violence must not be allowed to gain a foothold within Uvwie territory.
Expressing a strong preference for proactive security strategies, Chief Ofoni argued that prevention is far more effective than trying to manage a crisis after it occurs. He noted that it is much better to stop the activities of bandits, kidnappers, rapists, and other organized criminal elements before they take root, rather than attempting to dislodge them once they have established local networks. With this in mind, he urged both formal security operatives and ordinary citizens throughout Uvwie Local Government Area to maintain a high state of situational awareness at all times.
In his detailed breakdown of why local safety requires a unified effort, the chairman highlighted the broad relevance of the summit’s theme. He observed that when security stands threatened by lawless forces, the local government’s attention becomes divided. Resources that should be directed toward building schools, expanding health facilities, and upgrading roads are instead diverted into emergency crisis management. As a result, the overall pace of community development slows down, and the hard-won progress made by the administration risks being undermined.
Chief Ofoni placed special emphasis on the role of intelligence gathering in modern crime prevention. He stated that vital information regarding suspicious activities must never be withheld from law enforcement agencies, as keeping secrets only handicaps officers and prevents them from making the timely interventions necessary to save lives and protect neighborhoods. He called on well-meaning individuals across the various clans and quarters of Uvwie to actively adopt the "see something, say something" philosophy, ensuring that actionable intelligence is passed up the chain of command so that the government can respond swiftly.
To make this process more practical for everyday residents, the council chairman encouraged members of the public to systematically save the official emergency contact numbers published by the state government. Having direct access to these communication lines ensures that appropriate authorities can be reached instantly during critical situations, eliminating administrative delays and enabling rapid response teams to deploy effectively when residents face immediate threats.
Reviewing the overall impact of the event, Chief Ofoni commended the Delta State Government for organizing such a timely and comprehensive summit. By bringing together opinion leaders, traditional authorities, and security managers from various spheres of influence, the state has created a unified front against crime. The chairman noted that the long-term success of the gathering would be felt far beyond the conference halls of Asaba, as local leaders return to their respective domains duty-bound to implement the security frameworks discussed.
Furthermore, he praised the state administration for its substantial financial investments in upgrading the regional security architecture. These funds have provided advanced equipment, operational vehicles, and logistical support to joint task forces across the state. However, Chief Ofoni pointed out that these heavy investments will only yield the desired results if citizens make a conscious decision to reject criminal behavior and actively report lawbreakers to the appropriate authorities.
Addressing the younger demographic within his constituency, the Uvwie Chairman issued a specific warning regarding digital behavior. He urged local youths to be highly responsible and cautious with what they publish on social media platforms. He stressed that spreading unverified reports and false alarms does not help security agencies; instead, it triggers unnecessary panic, damages the local economy, and misdirects critical security resources. He advised everyone to thoroughly verify information before sharing it publicly, urging residents to remain calm and guided by facts rather than rumors.
Concluding his message, Chief Ofoni reassured the people of Uvwie Local Government Area that his administration remains fully committed to maintaining long-term peace and stability. He pledged that the council will continue to expand its operational partnerships with state security forces, community leaders, vigilant groups, and youth executives to tighten the area's defense framework. He urged all residents to remain law-abiding as they pursue their daily economic activities, framing their cooperation as a vital contribution to the broader peace, prosperity, and progress envisioned under the MORE agenda of the State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori.
