As darkness approaches in Ogwashi-Uku, a town known for its rich culture and commercial activities in Delta State, many residents begin a daily routine that has become all too familiar.
Shop owners close earlier than they used to. Commercial drivers avoid certain roads. Parents ensure their children return home before nightfall. Streets that once remained lively into the evening gradually become deserted.
For many residents, these are no longer ordinary precautions. They are survival strategies.
In recent years, kidnapping, armed robbery, cult violence and other criminal activities have cast a shadow over Ogwashi-Uku and surrounding communities. While security agencies and local vigilante groups continue efforts to tackle crime, residents say fear now influences almost every aspect of daily life.
From transportation and business activities to housing decisions and social interactions, insecurity has changed the way people live.
Behind the headlines and crime reports are ordinary people trying to protect their families, sustain their businesses and hold on to hope.
Fear of kidnappers
For commercial drivers, every trip has become a journey filled with uncertainty.
A bus driver who plies the Ogwashi-Uku-Agbor route said fear has become part of his daily routine.
“We are safe in some places, but in other places we are not safe,” he told our correspondent.
According to him, the Ubulu-Uku–Obior road remains one of the most feared routes among transport operators.
“Kidnappers and armed robbers always disturb us there. Many times, I have come face-to-face with kidnappers. They point guns at us,” he said.
The driver explained that the situation has affected passenger movement, with many travellers avoiding late journeys.
“People are afraid to travel. It has affected our income seriously,” he said.
Recalling one frightening experience, he said he witnessed armed men pursuing a motorist.
“I saw armed men chasing a young man driving a white Toyota Venza. They were shooting at him. The man ran into the bush. Immediately I saw what was happening, I put my vehicle in reverse gear and turned back.”
For drivers like him, reaching home safely has become more important than making extra trips.
Traders count losses
The impact of insecurity is also being felt in local markets.
A Hausa trader who sells curtains and household fabrics said business has dropped significantly.
“Many of our customers are no longer coming,” he said.
According to him, some residents have relocated to safer areas while others have reduced their spending because of economic hardship linked to insecurity.
“People are afraid. Some families have left town,” he said.
A plastic goods seller in the market shared a similar experience.
“Business is not the way it used to be. Customers are fewer now,” he said.
For many traders, declining patronage means shrinking profits and increasing financial pressure.
“We are just managing,” he added.
Across Ogwashi-Uku, traders say they now struggle to meet daily expenses as fewer people visit markets and commercial centres.
‘They took everything’
In the Azungo area of the town, a businesswoman and landlady is still trying to recover from a recent burglary attack.
According to her, thieves broke into her shop and carted away valuable items, including power banks and accessories she sold to customers.
“They took everything,” she said.
The incident happened at a time when business was already struggling.
“Everywhere is dry. Business is not moving,” she lamented.
She believes insecurity has discouraged people from moving around freely, reducing customer traffic and affecting businesses.
For many women, the challenge goes beyond making sales.
They must also worry about their safety and that of their children.
Businesses under pressure
A fashion designer, Saheed who has spent more than two decades building his business said insecurity is threatening everything he worked for.
For 22 years, he trained apprentices and provided employment opportunities for young people.
“Normally, we had many boys working here,” he said.
Today, many of those apprentices have left.
“Insecurity is affecting our business seriously,” he said.
According to him, many residents have relocated while those who remain are struggling financially.
“When people cannot afford food, they stop thinking about clothes.”
He said the effect cuts across different sectors of the economy.
“Many businesses are suffering because customers are no longer coming like before.”
Like many residents, he has considered relocating but remains uncertain about starting afresh elsewhere.
‘Nobody feels safe anymore’
For Nwankwo Ejike, popularly known as Equalz2, a young graduate, musician and actor, insecurity has changed his entire lifestyle.
“To be honest, I do not feel safe,” he said.
He said he knows several people who have either been kidnapped or threatened by criminals.
Even within his own home, he remains alert.
“The only reason I leave my windows open is because we have dogs that can alert us if anybody enters the compound.”
One incident particularly strengthened his fears.
According to him, a female friend called him late at night after noticing suspicious men around her residence.
“I told her to send her location immediately,” he said.
Fortunately, security personnel nearby responded before the situation escalated.
For Ekene, the experience confirmed what many residents already believe.
“Nobody feels safe here anymore,” he said.
The fear has forced him to change his routine.
“By 8pm, I prefer to be indoors.”
He also abandoned a newly rented apartment because of repeated reports of kidnapping around the area.
“My safety is more important,” he said.
Like many young people, he is considering leaving the community.
Insecurity Scaring Investment
Property developer and businessman, Tony Agofure, believes insecurity is hurting economic growth and discouraging investment.
“There are places we used to go for site inspections and development work, but we can no longer go there freely,” he said.
As someone whose work requires frequent visits to undeveloped and remote locations, he says many areas have become risky.
“You cannot just go there anymore because your life may be in danger.”
Tony said he knows several people who have been kidnapped and others who have relocated because they no longer felt safe.
His movements are now carefully planned.
“By 4pm, 5pm or 6pm, I must already be at home,” he said.
According to him, insecurity discourages investors and slows development.
“When investors are afraid, communities lose opportunities.”
Vigilantes
While residents rush home before dark, members of local vigilante groups begin their nightly patrols.
A vigilante commander in Okpanam, Felix Okeleke, said security work comes with enormous risks.
“You do not sleep well because you are always watching out for threats,” he said.
The dangers are real.
He recalled how one of his colleagues was killed during an operation to rescue a kidnapped woman.
“It was a tragic loss for us,” he said.
Despite limited resources, vigilante groups continue to work with the police and provide intelligence on criminal activities.
However, Okeleke said they need more support.
“We need assistance from government. Without support, it becomes difficult to work effectively.”
For many communities, vigilantes remain one of the first lines of defence against criminals.
Beyond guns, patrols
Security experts believe the solution to insecurity goes beyond arrests and patrol operations.
The Managing Director of Tranquillité Security Limited, Tony Pemu, said unemployment remains one of the major causes of crime.
“When young people do not have opportunities, some become vulnerable to criminal activities,” he said.
According to him, the decline of industries and limited job opportunities have left many youths frustrated.
Pemu called for greater investment in job creation, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition programmes.
He also advocated increased use of technology such as surveillance cameras, drones and intelligence systems.
“Criminals thrive where there is little monitoring,” he said.
He further recommended reclaiming forests often used as criminal hideouts and putting them to productive use.
For him, lasting security requires a combination of economic empowerment, technology and community participation.
Community not giving up
Despite the challenges, residents continue to show resilience.
The commercial driver still reports to work every morning.
The traders still open their shops and hope for customers.
The businesswoman in Azungo is trying to rebuild after her loss.
The fashion designer continues to wait for new orders.
Ekene still hopes for a safer future.
The vigilantes continue their patrols.
Their stories paint a picture of a community facing enormous challenges but refusing to surrender.
Behind every early-closing shop is a family trying to survive.
Behind every empty market stall is a trader struggling to earn a living.
Behind every relocation is a difficult decision made in search of safety.
Residents of Ogwashi-Uku are not asking for special treatment.
They want safe roads, peaceful nights, thriving businesses and opportunities for their children.
Until then, they continue to adapt, endure and hope.
Because even as insecurity reshapes daily life, the people of Ogwashi-Uku have refused to allow fear to completely define their future.
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