By Our Reporter
In a dramatic turn of events, the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Prof. Samuel Asagba, has ordered the indefinite suspension of all academic activities, citing escalating violence and a disturbing surge in kidnappings in and around the university community.
The directive, which took effect on Thursday, June 5, 2025, was announced just hours before an emergency security meeting scheduled by the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, at the Government House in Asaba. The meeting is expected to address the deteriorating security situation, particularly in the university town of Abraka, which has become a hotspot for violent crimes in recent months.
A statement released by the university’s management read: “I wish to inform you all that due to the security situation in Abraka town, I have directed all our students to remain indoors today, Thursday, June 5, 2025, until Management is certain of the safety of both staff and students.
Consequently, lectures and other academic activities will not hold today, Thursday, June 5, 2025. Let us all hope for a return to normality after the public holidays.”
The abrupt suspension comes on the heels of a shocking incident that has shaken the student community: the kidnapping and brutal murder of a young man near the university campus just days ago. The killing, believed to have been carried out by criminal gangs operating in the area, triggered widespread panic and a fresh wave of unrest among students and residents.
Sources within the university report that this is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, multiple cases of abduction, extortion, and gang violence have been reported around the university’s environs, prompting parents and community leaders to raise alarm over what they describe as a “complete breakdown of law and order.”
Governor Oborevwori, facing mounting pressure from civil society groups, student unions, and concerned residents, has yet to unveil a concrete security roadmap. His administration’s perceived slow response has drawn criticism from various quarters, with many questioning the government’s capacity to secure educational institutions and protect the youth.
There is growing fear that if urgent and decisive action is not taken, the situation could spiral further, jeopardizing not only academic stability but the broader socioeconomic fabric of the region.
For now, uncertainty looms over when academic activities will resume, as both students and staff await further directives and, more importantly, a restoration of safety and confidence in their community.