“No Light, No Peace!” — Okpanam Youths Storm Delta Government House Over Blackout, Rising Crime
Tension boiled over in Asaba on Thursday as angry youths from Okpanam in Oshimili North LGA stormed the Delta State Government House, barricading the entrance in protest over an alleged deliberate blackout imposed by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and escalating insecurity in the area.
The protesters, chanting solidarity songs and wielding placards that read “Enough is Enough,” “We Say No to BEDC,” and “Stop the Exploitation,” marched through major roads in the state capital before converging on the seat of power.
Darkness Breeds Danger
In a letter addressed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the President-General of the Okpanam Youth Organization, Mr Lucky Okolo, described the situation as “economic sabotage and a threat to public safety.”
“For several years, Okpanam has been plunged into darkness with no reliable power supply,” the letter read.
“BEDC’s refusal to restore electricity while slamming us with exorbitant estimated bills shows total disregard for our lives and livelihoods.”
The youths decried how the lack of power has crippled small businesses, endangered lives, and fueled a wave of kidnappings and violent crimes under the cover of darkness.
“Our Community Has Become a Crime Zone”
The protesters blamed the power outage for the sharp increase in criminal activity, claiming that the absence of street lighting and security infrastructure has made the town a “hunting ground for criminals.”
“We are not safe in our homes, and we are not safe on the streets,” Okolo warned.
“The government must act before this situation explodes into a full-blown security crisis.”
They demanded urgent government intervention and accused BEDC of exploiting the people with estimated billing while doing nothing to resolve technical faults or improve infrastructure.
Government Responds: Relief Coming?
Responding on behalf of the governor, Chief of Staff Mr Johnson Erijo acknowledged the gravity of the situation and assured the youths that the administration was in the final phase of passing a legislative framework to address power supply issues across the state.
“Your Governor hears you, and he shares in your pain,” Erijo said.
“Solutions are on the way, and your voices have been heard loud and clear.”
