Delta State Government has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to the far north, particularly the troubled areas for their safety.

The Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay stated this at Owhelogbo, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, while commiserating with the families of the missing traders who were said to have travelled to Maiduguri, Borno State for business.

Comrade Macaulay gave the assurance that the state government is liaising with the Borno State government to unravel the mystery behind the ugly development, pointing out that the state government would always ensure the safety of its citizens anywhere in the country.

The SSG urged the youths especially in the two Isoko local government areas of the state not to engage in reprisal attack as Deltans believe in being their brother’s keeper, adding that peaceful co-existence was necessary if the country must achieve the desired development.

Comrade Macaulay  who noted that Delta State has always provided shelter and protection to non -Deltans in time of trouble, promised that state government would continue to protect every Nigerian irrespective of religion or ethnic affiliation and warned non Deltans in the state to be law-abiding or be made to face the long arm of the law.

He also warned Deltans harbouring kidnapers or those who allow their houses to be used to have a rethink as government has ordered that any house that was discovered to be used by kidnappers would be demolished and the owners prosecuted.

The SSG, who took time to visit the three families, urged them to commit the situation into the hands of the Lord as He alone has the power to protect and save those that are in trouble, adding that the state government would continue to keep in touch with them.

Earlier, the head of Olowu family, Chief Godwin Ogheli, had stated that the three missing men; Owigho Akporuno, Friday Daniel and Oghenekaro Akpoyibo left for Maiduguri, Borno State as usual to buy some trailer loads of cow and were kidnapped by gunmen believed to be members of the Boko Haram religious sect.

Chief Akporuno expressed shock at what has befallen the men who for many years had been in good business partnership with their northern counterparts, urging the Federal Government and the governors of the troubled states to rise up to the security challenge.