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The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) has issued a strong, timely appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently assent to and activate the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Law, 2025, warning that delays could further expose communities to rising waves of violence and criminality.

In a letter addressed to the governor and signed by its Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, and Secretary, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, the Forum expressed grave concern over worsening insecurity across Delta State, particularly repeated attacks on farmers by armed herdsmen, rampant kidnappings for ransom, and other violent crimes now threatening food security, livelihoods and public confidence in governance.

DOPF noted that the Community Security Corps Agency Law was duly passed by the Delta State House of Assembly on July 22, 2025, after a full legislative process, including third reading. The law, sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Peace and Security, Hon. (Dr.) Isaac Anwuzia, repeals the 2020 version and introduces a stronger, more structured and legally grounded framework for grassroots security.

According to the Forum, the clear intention of the House was to establish a formal Community Security Corps Agency capable of complementing conventional security forces, improving intelligence gathering and responding swiftly to local threats, much like the Amotekun model in the South-West, at a time when federal security agencies are overstretched.

While commending Governor Oborevwori for assenting to the Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Law, 2025, and for setting up the Delta State Security Trust Fund, DOPF expressed concern that the Community Security Corps Law, the operational backbone for effective community policing has remained unsigned months after its passage.

The Forum warned that this hesitation echoes the troubling fate of the Delta State Anti-Open Grazing Law, which, despite being enacted in the previous administration, has largely remained dormant even as farmers continue to suffer deadly attacks. “Laws without enforcement structures become symbolic documents, not instruments of protection,” the letter stressed.

DOPF further raised alarm over emerging security intelligence suggesting that terrorist and criminal elements displaced from the North-East by recent international military operations could migrate toward softer targets, including parts of the Niger Delta, making proactive local security measures imperative.

The Forum urged that assenting to the law must be immediately followed by concrete implementation steps, including clear recruitment guidelines, proper training, sustainable funding, strong oversight and seamless coordination with existing security agencies.

According to DOPF, swift action on the law would send a powerful signal that the Oborevwori administration is proactive, people-focused and serious about protecting lives, farmlands, investments and communities, rather than reacting after irreversible damage has been done.

As the New Year unfolds, the Forum appealed to the governor to make the signing and implementation of the Delta State Community Security Corps Agency Law, 2025, a defining statement of resolve and reassurance to Deltans that their safety truly matters and that laws made in their name will not be allowed to gather dust.