Abraka Metro

Banditry, Insecurity Drive Food Prices Beyond Reach as DELSU Students, Traders Seek Government Action

Published

2 weeks ago

July 10, 2026

By Elijah Ofovwe God’scarring Tejiri

Students of Delta State University (DELSU) and traders at the Abraka Small Market, are appealing to the federal and state governments to tackle rising insecurity and banditry, blaming the crisis for the sharp increase in food prices that has made basic food items unaffordable.

The appeal follows the continued rise in the prices of farm produce, which residents say is linked to insecurity in major food producing communities across the country, farmers are reportedly abandoning their farms due to attacks by armed bandits, resulting in reduced food production and shortages in local markets.

Interviews conducted on with students and traders in Abraka revealed growing concern over the rising cost of living and worsening food insecurity.

A 200 level Science Laboratory Technology student, Awerosuoghene Destiny Akomakowe, described the current food prices as shocking “I went to the market yesterday to buy tomatoes, and the seller told me that five tomatoes cost ₦1,000, I counted them three times because I thought I had heard wrongly, how can students survive when the money sent by their parents no longer meets their basic needs? , The insecurity affecting farming communities is hurting us here in Abraka,” she said.

A 300 level Political Science student, Miss Favour Oghenerukewe, also said the increase in food prices has forced many students to reduce the number of meals they eat daily, “I used to prepare a pot of soup for less than ₦2,000, and it lasted about four days, now, I cannot cook the same soup for less than ₦5,000, the prices of tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, and crayfish have all increased, many students now eat only once a day because food has become too expensive,” she said.

Another student, Emmanuel Toritseju, a second year Accounting student, said insecurity has disrupted farming activities and food supply across the country, “This is not just happening in Lagos or Abuja, even here in Abraka, food prices have become very high because many farmers can no longer go to their farms. Without security, farming cannot continue, and without farming, there will be no food,” he stated.

Traders at the Abraka Small Market also attributed the high cost of food to insecurity affecting farming communities and transportation routes.

A vegetable trader, Mama Ngozi, said suppliers now face security risks while transporting produce from farming areas, “Before now, trucks regularly brought tomatoes, pepper, and vegetables from farming communities like Agbor and Ogwashi, but today, many drivers avoid those routes because of attacks by armed groups, those who still transport food charge higher fares because of the risks involved, by the time the produce gets to the market, the prices have already gone up,” she explained. She added that traders are also experiencing reduced sales because many customers can no longer afford the prices.

Another trader, Mrs. Roseline Efe, who sells grains and other food items, said transportation costs have also increased because of insecurity, “Our suppliers are afraid to travel through certain roads because of kidnappers and bandits, some farmers have even considered quitting farming because they are constantly threatened, the government needs to provide adequate security for farmers and transporters so food can move freely again,” she said.

Students are calling on the government to deploy more security personnel to farming communities and major supply routes to protect farmers and improve food production.

Market traders also urged authorities to provide financial support for affected farmers and strengthen security along transportation corridors to ensure the steady movement of food across the country.

Residents warned that unless urgent action is taken to address insecurity, food prices may continue to rise, placing greater financial pressure on students, traders, and low income households.

Abraka Metro

DELSU Photo Festival Season 2 Celebrates Creativity Despite Heavy Rainfall

Published

4 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Austin Olayinka

By Blessing Alumona and Miracle Akpoyovwvayire

The second edition of the DELSU Photo Festival was held on July 17, 2026, in front of the university Sports Complex. Although the programme was originally scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., persistent rainfall delayed the event until about 2:00 p.m. A large canopy was provided to shield participants from the rain, while lively music entertained students as they arrived at the venue.

The event opened on a cheerful note with comedy and light-hearted remarks by Professor Odion Odiboh, creating an exciting atmosphere despite the weather. This was followed by the official opening address delivered by Comrade Regina Egbiamiye, President of the Department of Journalism. After her remarks, the pageantry segment commenced, with contestants representing the Departments of Mass Communication, Journalism, and Broadcasting showcasing their confidence and creativity. At the same time, judges assessed students’ photography projects while music kept the audience entertained.

One of the highlights of the festival was an interactive question-and-answer session that actively involved students and kept the audience engaged. Student union representatives, departmental executives, lecturers, and students participated throughout the programme, contributing to its lively and memorable atmosphere.

Speaking after the event, Faith Ogbotor, a 200-level Journalism student, described the festival as enjoyable and memorable. She said that although the heavy rainfall affected the programme, it did not prevent participants from having a rewarding experience.

Another participant, Tejiri Mathias, a Mass Communication student, also commended the event but expressed concerns about what he described as partiality during some of the games. He suggested that improvements could be made in future editions to ensure fairness.

The festival concluded with the announcement of winners from the three departments. Four students emerged as winners from the Department of Broadcasting, twelve from the Department of Journalism, and twenty-two from the Department of Mass Communication. Each department also selected three overall outstanding winners through a voting process, and the successful participants received awards in recognition of their performances.

The celebration ended with music, dancing, and the distribution of refreshments to students, lecturers, and student executives. The joyful atmosphere and shared moments of celebration brought the 2026 DELSU Photo Festival Season 2 to a successful and memorable conclusion for everyone in attendance.

Abraka Metro

DELSU Student Collapses in Overcrowded Library During MIA Examination

Published

4 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Austin Olayinka

By Sajini Angela

A female student of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at the university library during the ongoing MIA examination.

According to students at the scene, the incident was linked to intense heat and overcrowding in the library. This reporter witnessed the student being carried out of the library and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

Speaking with this reporter, a Mass Communication student, Monday Akubeze, who witnessed the incident, said:

“It was on Thursday afternoon when I went to the library to read that the incident happened. A girl who had an MIA examination to write suddenly collapsed and started gasping for air. It was later discovered that she fainted because the place was overcrowded and poorly ventilated. There were many students waiting to sit for the examination in the hall, but there was no fan or air conditioner to reduce the heat.”

The incident has renewed concerns about poor ventilation and crowd management in examination venues as the MIA examinations continue.

Students have also called on the university authorities to improve ventilation in examination centres and ensure proper crowd control to prevent similar incidents. They urged fellow students to stay hydrated and step outside for fresh air if they begin to feel weak, especially in crowded environments.

Abraka Metro

Youths In Abraka Call For Greater Political Participation

Published

4 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Austin Olayinka

By Purity Enumah

Youth leaders and activists in Abraka have called for increased youth participation in politics, emphasising the need for young people to take active roles in governance and leadership rather than remain passive observers.

The call was made during interviews on the state of youth involvement in politics in Abraka, where participants highlighted both the progress made and the challenges that continue to hinder meaningful youth representation in the political process.

According to a youth leader, political awareness among young people in the community has improved significantly in recent years. He noted that more youths are attending political meetings, engaging in discussions on community development, and showing interest in leadership positions.

“We are seeing more young people becoming interested in politics than before. Many are now actively involved in conversations about governance and community issues. However, there is still room for improvement because some young people feel their voices are not adequately represented,” he said.

A youth activist attributed the growing interest to the influence of social media and increased civic awareness campaigns.

“Young people now have easier access to information about government policies and political developments. Campaigns encouraging voter registration and participation in decision-making processes have also motivated many youths to become more politically conscious,” the activist said.

Despite the growing enthusiasm, the interviewees identified several obstacles facing young people who wish to participate actively in politics. Among the challenges mentioned were limited access to leadership opportunities, financial constraints, and the dominance of older politicians within existing political structures.

“Many political platforms are still controlled by older generations, making it difficult for young people to secure leadership positions. Financial challenges and political intimidation also discourage many youths from getting involved,” the youth leader explained.

On the issue of generational leadership, the activists expressed confidence that Abraka is ready for greater youth representation in public office. They argued that young people possess the creativity, innovation, and energy needed to contribute meaningfully to governance and community development.

“Leadership should be based on competence, vision, and commitment to service. There are many capable young people in Abraka who can lead effectively if given the opportunity,” one of the activists said.

The youth representatives further urged government institutions and political parties to create more opportunities for young people by supporting leadership development programmes, civic education initiatives, and youth empowerment schemes.

They also encouraged political parties to provide platforms that would enable young candidates to contest elections and participate in decision-making processes.

In a message to fellow youths, the activists urged young people not to remain on the sidelines but to engage actively in political activities, register to vote, participate in community discussions, and hold elected officials accountable.

“Politics affects every aspect of our lives. The future of our communities depends on the willingness of young people to get involved and contribute to shaping the society they want to see,” they said.

The interviews reflect the growing conversation around youth participation in politics across Delta State, as calls for increased youth representation and inclusion in governance continue to gain momentum.