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Tag: Okuama

  • Okuama: Oborevwori inaugurates IDP management committee

    Okuama: Oborevwori inaugurates IDP management committee

    Succour will soon come the way of the displaced people of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Wednesday, inaugurated Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Management Committee.

    The Committee has veteran journalist and former Editor of The Guardian Newspaper, Mr Abraham Ogbodo as Chairman and Director of Personnel Management, DPM, Ughelli South Local Government Council, Chief Austin Emaduku as Secretary.

    Other members include; Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Hon. Festus Utuama, Hon. Reuben Izeze, Dr Richard Kofi, Chief Oviri Uto, Hon. Josephine Oduaran, Obukohwo Henry Ediyo, Karo Ovemeso and Austin Ohwofaria who will serve as Camp Commandant.

    Inaugurating the Committee at Government House Asaba, Governor Oborevwori charged the Committee to carefully plan the resettlement and rehabilitation of the innocent citizens of Okuama community.

    Oborevwori said: “I welcome all of you to the inauguration of a Committee charged with the duty of planning and coordinating the settlement and rehabilitation of our people at Okuama.

    “Much as we condemned in strong terms the dastardly act that took the lives of our gallant officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.

    “We will do everything we can to reduce to the barest minimum the attendant effects on the common man in Okuama community.

    “Innocent people have been displaced, their homes and properties destroyed, this was, and still is, an unfortunate and most unexpected development.

    “Like I said when I visited Okuama the other day, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and the military agreed that innocent people in Okuama should not be made to suffer needlessly.

    “This is why we sincerely believe that sooner than later, the innocent ones will be allowed to return to their homes.

    “It is now right for goverment to set up a committee to plan their resettlement and rehabilitation ahead of their return. This is the minimum we owe our people, we have to reassure them to have a sense of belonging as we make adequate arrangements for their settlement and rehabilitation.

    “Note that you have been carefully chosen based on your previous antecedents, we are therefore confident that you will do a transparent, thorough and selfless job that not only the people of Okuama but every Deltan will be proud of you as you make adequate arrangements of receiving them and lessening their pains.

    “I urge you to attach a sense of urgency to this assignment. We must demonstrate the highest degree of love and responsibility towards our people. That is the least we can do for them.”

    Responding on behalf of members of the committee, the Chairman, Abraham Ogbodo, expressed appreciation to the governor for finding them worthy to serve in the committee.

    He said their appointment into the committee was a call for service and assured the governor and Deltans that, by the grace of God, they would live up to expectation by delivering the needed services to the people.

    According to him, members of the committee would work with the sense of urgency that the state assignment requires, assuring that they would be transparent, thorough and selfless in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Okuama.

  • Okuama killings: Reps set for investigative hearing in Delta

    Okuama killings: Reps set for investigative hearing in Delta

    The Nigerian House of Representatives has concluded plans to hold an investigative hearing into the unfortunate killing of 17 military personnel who were on a peace mission to Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area of Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports this is contained in a statement released by the House Committee on Defence and signed by the Committee Chairman, Rep. Jimi Benson and Clerk to the House Committee on Defence, Musa Aliyu.

    According to the statement, the investigative hearing into the Okuama killings is in line with a resolution of the House passed during its sitting of March 19, 2024, to investigate the remote causes of the incident.

    Recall that on March 14, 17 military personnel were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen while on a peace mission over alleged land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities.

    The investigative hearing by the House of Representatives committee on the matter is scheduled to hold on Thursday at the Government House Annex, Edjeba in Warri South Local Government Area of the State by 10 am.

    The committee in the statement called on members of the public and interested parties to provide the committee with useful information on the incident during the hearing.

    The statement reads: “The House of Representatives invites the general public, stakeholders, and all interested parties to an investigative hearing on the carnage that occurred in Okuama community, Delta State, resulting in the death of military officers et al.

    “This Investigative Hearing in line with the 10th Assembly House of Representatives’ Resolution of 19th March, 2024, presents an opportunity for stakeholders to provide valuable information and recommendations that will help unveil causes and effects as well as the perpetrators of the dastardly act and events that followed, with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice, prevent such occurrence in the future and bring succour to the innocent members of the public who were affected thereafter.

    “Members of the public who are willing to submit memorandum should do so in ten (10) copies and submit same to the Committee within one (1) week of  this Publication to the Clerk of the Committee, Musa Aliyu Room 315 White House, House of Representative, National Assembly, Three Arm Zone Abuja.

    “Or at the Public Investigative Hearing scheduled as follows: Date: Thursday 25th April, 2024. Time: 10am. Venue: Conference Hall, Government House Annex, Edjeba Warri Delta State.

    “The House of Representatives Committee on Defence looks forward to a robust engagement and meaningful contributions from all stakeholders”.

  • What Okuama residents need now – Senator Dafinone

    What Okuama residents need now – Senator Dafinone

    Sen. Ede Dafinone has called for the rehabilitation and engagement in a productive form of livelihood for the displaced residents of Okuama Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta.

    The senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District made the call on Sunday evening at Ughelli during a consultative meeting with faithful of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in his constituency.

    Definone told newsmen that he was fully in support of the Board of Inquiry constituted to investigate the March 14 killings of the 17 soldiers in the troubled Okuama Community.

    “Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta visited the community on Saturday on a fact-finding mission. The area is in a bad condition.

    “The residents need rehabilitation, resettlement and engagement in a productive form of livelihood in order for them to be able to start all over again.

    “In the meantime, in my capacity as a senator and individual capacity, I support all the investigation the military is doing to fish out those behind the killings so they can face the wrath of the law.

    “I have given my assurance to the military that I stand by them in the investigation,” he said.

    Earlier, Dafinone said the essence of the meeting was to interface with the party supporters in the eight local government areas in his constituency.

    “To know their needs and how to properly address them. To also possibly identify areas they think I can do better,” he said.

    The legislator said that two major areas were identified in the course of the deliberation.

    According to him, the areas are the moribund Delta Steel Company (DSC) in Udu Local Government Area and the employment of his constituents at the federal level.

    The senator said efforts were underway to engage some of the best and bright supporters of the party in his constituency at federal parastatals and agencies.

    He also said that 1,600 names in the eight local government areas in the constituency were submitted to benefit from the federal government palliatives, adding that the distribution was ongoing.

    Speaking on the moribund DSC, Dafinone said he would try and ensure that the company was fully revived.

    “DSC is, coincidentally, one of my late father’s legacy. It is not yielding the required benefits to the people of Udu and Nigerians in general.

    “I will put my eyes to see how best we can get a better return for Nigeria and particularly the Udu people,” he said.

    Dafinone, however, reminded those living in the flood-prone areas to relocate before the advent of the rain.

    According to him, the federal government had issued a warning that there would be flooding in 2024.

    He assured the teeming party loyalists that they would receive his palliatives before the end of May.

  • Okuama: No point to run away – Gov Oborevwori tells fleeing residents

    Okuama: No point to run away – Gov Oborevwori tells fleeing residents

    Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has visited Okuama with an assurance for the safe return of the indigenes who fled the community in the wake of the crisis over the killing of 17 officers and soldiers on March 14.

    The Governor, who was accompanied by Commander 63 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Unachukwu Ugochukwu, and top government officials, on a journey that took over one hour and twenty minutes from Warri, reiterated that innocent citizens would not be made to suffer for what they know nothing about.

    Recall that the killings made the people of the community to flee for fear of being attacked.

    Speaking to journalists at Okuama, Governor Oborevwori said: “We have followed due process in the whole incident. The people have been buried and the King that was detained has been released yesterday and today I am here to see what happened in Okuama community.

    “The Okuama 17 is something that we didn’t expect to happen because it is against our bargain for peace and security which I promised Deltans that we are going to enhance.

    “We have been enjoying peace and security since last year until the 14th of March when the four Army officers and 13 soldiers were murdered.

    “They were not just murdered, their bodies were mutilated and we have come here to see what happened.

    “Let me again reiterate Mr President’s promise that no innocent person would be victimised and you can see that, from that time till now, there has been no harassment of citizens of this community.

    “I have come to see how the innocent people of this community can be reintegrated back with the cooperation of the military.

    “We know its a big loss to them but we have to follow due process. The Brigade Commander is with us and the newly posted Commander of 181 Battalion, Lt Col Dabo, is also here with us and its a great synergy.”

    He said his administration was doing a lot to effectively resolve the dispute, adding that citizens of Okuama would soon return home.

    Continuing, Governor Oborevwori, said: “Let me once again thank Mr President and Commander in Chief, Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff for their cooperation so far.

    “They have been very supportive and they have kept to their promise that innocent people will not be victimised. I want to assure the people of Okuama there is no point running away from your community.

    “We are going to bring you back to your community. It’s only those that are involved the military are looking for”.

  • EXCLUSIVE: We are working to bring back displaced Okuama residents – Gov Oborevwori [PHOTOS]

    EXCLUSIVE: We are working to bring back displaced Okuama residents – Gov Oborevwori [PHOTOS]

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has said the State Government is making deliberate and strategic efforts to bring back the displaced residents of Okuama in Ughelli South local government area of the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports residents of Okuama community have been displaced in incidents following the killing of 17 military personnel who were on a peace mission to the community.

    While a Military Board of Inquiry had been constituted by the Defence Headquarters to investigate the 17 soldiers killed, Okuama community has been cordoned off by the military authorities.

    TNG reports Saturday’s visit would be the first time Governor Oborevwori would be having access to the troubled community after a period of over one month to assess the true situation of things.

    The visiting Governor assured of the safe return of the indigenes who fled the community in the wake of the crisis. Accompanied by some government officials, Oborevwori reiterated that innocent citizens would not be made to suffer for what they know nothing about.

    “Next phase is how to bring back and resettle innocent citizens of Okuama community who have been displaced,” Governor Oborevwori said during the visit.

    TNG reports the Governor’s visit to Okuama follows the release of the King of Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo, who had been in detention following the killing of the 17 military personnel.

    Recall that 17 military personnel, made up of a Commanding Officer, two Majors, a Captain, and 13 others, were said to have been ambushed and murdered in Okuama on March 14.

    They were said to be responding to a crisis between Okoloba community in Bomadi local government area of the State and Okuama community who had allegedly been engaged in an aged-long land dispute.

    The military personnel have since been buried but efforts to unravel the remote cause of the killings are ongoing.

    On Friday, the King of Ewu Kingdom, under whose domain the killings reportedly occurred was released to the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, who had acknowledged the role Oborevwori played in the release of the monarch.

    Governor Oborevwori and his delegation took off from the jetty of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) in Warri and were escorted by operatives of the military Joint Task Force (JTF).

    See photos below:

  • EXCLUSIVE: Gov Oborevwori visits Okuama community

    EXCLUSIVE: Gov Oborevwori visits Okuama community

    Following the release of the King of Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Saturday took a tour of Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Oborevwori took a tour of the riverine community to assess the true situation of things in the aftermath of the killing of 17 military personnel in the community.

    Recall that 17 military personnel, made up of a Commanding Officer, two Majors, a Captain, and 13 others, were said to have been ambushed and murdered in Okuama on March 14.

    They were said to have been responding to a crisis between Okoloba community in Bomadi local government area of the State and Okuama community who had allegedly been engaged in an aged-long land dispute.

    The military personnel have since been buried but efforts to unravel the remote cause of the killings are ongoing as a Military Board of Inquiry has been constituted by the Defence Headquarters to investigate the 17 soldiers killed.

    On Friday, the King of Ewu Kingdom, under whose domain the killings reportedly occurred was released to the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, who has acknowledged the role Governor Oborevwori played in the release of the monarch.

    Since the sad and tragic incident which claimed the lives of the soldiers and several civilians, Okuama has been cordoned off. This would be the first time the Governor would be visiting the troubled communities after a period of over one month.

    Governor Oborevwori and his delegation took off from the jetty of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) in Warri and were escorted by operatives of the military Joint Task Force (JTF).

    Details shortly…

  • Okuama killings: Delta Senator lauds military over release of monarch

    Okuama killings: Delta Senator lauds military over release of monarch

    Sen. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has expressed appreciation to the Defence Headquarters on the release of  Chief Clement Ikolo, detained traditional ruler of Ewu kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta.

    The lawmaker, representing Delta South Senatorial District expressed  appreciation to the military authority in a statement he made available to newsmen on Friday in Warri.

    The king was released on Friday by the Defence Headquarters after spending about three weeks in the military custody.

    The senator said the release was a major step toward the restoration of peace in the troubled kingdom.

    Recall that the embattled royal father was among the eight persons declared wanted by the military authority in connection with the March 14 killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama Community in Ewu kingdom.

    17 soldiers including a Lieutenant-Colonel, two Majors and a Captain who were said to have been on a peace-keeping mission to the Okuama community, were gruesomely murdered in the mission.

    The legislator said that his colleagues and him, representing Delta Central and Delta North Senatorial Districts had on Tuesday, visited the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa to seek for the king’s release.

    The traditional ruler was, however, released to the senator representing Delta central senatorial district, Sen. Ede Dafinone by the military authority at about 11:00 a.m on Friday.

    He was released with an agreement that the senator would provide the king whenever his attention was needed.

    It would be recalled  that the king was handed over to the military authority on March 29, after he had earlier voluntarily reported himself at the Police command in Delta.

  • Army slammed with N200bn lawsuit for invading Okuama

    Army slammed with N200bn lawsuit for invading Okuama

    The Nigerian Army (NA) has been slammed with a N200 billion lawsuit for invading Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area of Delta.

    Recall that 17 military personnel on a peace mission were killed allegedly in Okuama community, and the army reportedly invaded the community in aftermath of the incident.

    While residents of the community were reportedly sacked by the army, the traditional ruler under whose domain Okuama is located was held in detention by the army for over 3 weeks before he was released.

    Human rights activist, Malcom Omirhobo, who instituted the N200 billion lawsuit against the Nigerian Army at the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, said the lawsuit is to enforce the fundamental right to freedom of movement and choice of place of residency of Okuama people.

    Having been briefed by the residents of the Okuama community, the suit was filed, Omirhobo, counsel to residents of the community, disclosed via a post on his official Facebook profile.

    He wrote: “At the Federal High Court Warri, Delta State to institute a N200 billion fundamental right action against the Nigerian Army for the enforcement of the  fundamental right to fair hearing, the dignity of human person, private and family life, freedom of movement and choice of place of residency and the right to own property of the residents of the Okuama community following the invasion of their community by the Nigerian Army.

    “I am counsel and not a party in the fundamental right case  instituted  at the Federal High court  Warri, Delta State against the Nigerian Army. Having been briefed by the residents of the Okuama community, the suit was filed”.

  • Okuama: What Senator Dafinone said about release of Delta monarch

    Okuama: What Senator Dafinone said about release of Delta monarch

    Senator Ede Dafinone has reacted following the release of His Royal Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, the revered monarch of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ovie Ikolo was released on Friday to Senator Dafinone, who stood as surety for the monarch who was detained by the army over the killing of 17 military personnel in his domain of Okuama community.

    The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly (NASS) expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff for their instrumental roles in securing the release of the monarch.

    Following the distressing incident at Okuama leading to the detention of King Clement Ikolo, Senator Ede Dafinone engaged tirelessly with relevant authorities to ensure that the monarch is released.

    The Delta Central lawmaker in collaboration with his colleagues, Senators Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South) interfaced with the military authorities to ensure that the monarch was freed.

    Following their interventions the monarch was today released to Senator Ede Dafinone by the military authority at the Defence Headquarters at about 11am with an understanding that the Senator will make the king available should his attention be needed.

    “Today, I commend the swift and decisive actions taken by President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff in addressing this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserved,” Dafinone said.

    In his statement, Senator Ede Dafinone remarked, “The release of His Royal Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, brings a sense of relief and reassurance to our community. I am deeply grateful to Mr President, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and the entire military leadership for their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.

    “I also wish on behalf of the Urhobo nation to thank my colleague senators from Delta North, Senator Ned Nwoko and Delta South, Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas for their invaluable contributions to the release of our dear king.

    “As a staunch advocate for justice and accountability, I pledge my continued support to the efforts aimed at uncovering the truth behind the unfortunate incident and bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

    He emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, security agencies, and community leaders to safeguard the peace and stability of our nation.

    Senator Dafinone also extended his heartfelt appreciation to all individuals and organisations, particularly the media who contributed to the resolution of this matter.

    “I call for unity and solidarity among all Nigerians as we work together to overcome challenges and build a brighter future for our beloved country,” he said.

  • Okuama: Detained Delta monarch reacts after gaining freedom

    Okuama: Detained Delta monarch reacts after gaining freedom

    The King of Ewu Kingdom, HRM Clement Ikolo has opened up on how the army treated him while in detention over the brutal killing of 17 military personnel in his domain of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ovie Ikolo to have said the military accorded him fair treatment, and that he was kept in a decent facility during his detention.

    The traditional ruler had surrendered himself after he was declared wanted alongside seven other suspects by the army in connection with the Okuama incident.

    He was handed over to the Senator Representing Delta Central, Sen. Ede Dafinone by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu on Friday.

    Speaking with newsmen shortly after his release, Ovie Ikolo thanked God, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and members of the National Assembly (NASS) from the State for their support.

    The royal father promised to support and cooperate with the army to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to book.

    Speaking, Senator Dafinone commended the Nigerian Army for exhibiting high level of professionalism in the handling of the crisis, and attested that the traditional ruler was treated with dignity.

    TNG reports Ovie Ikolo had been in detention following the killing of 17 personnel in Okuama community in Delta on March 14.

    While briefing newsmen on the release of the traditional ruler, Nwachukwu said the army authorities decided to release the royal father on bail to the senator after preliminary investigation.

    He said that while there were no sufficient evidence of the traditional ruler’s culpability, it was also too early to exonerate anyone form the dastardly act.

    Army spokesperson said the manhunt for those who perpetrated the crime directly, supported or knew about it, was ongoing.

    According to him, Ikolo in whose domain the dastardly act took place, surrendered to the Nigeria Police, who in turn handed him over to the Nigerian army.

    “Since his surrender, the Nigerian Army has painstakingly reviewed every available information on the incident and has come to some preliminary observations and inferences.

    “One of which is that, while culpability has not been conclusively established against the traditional ruler, there is insufficient evidence, to exonerate anyone at this stage.

    “Nevertheless, on the intervention of distinguished Senator Dafinone, representing Delta Central, and his vouching for the monarch’s character, and the fact that the monarch voluntarily turned himself in for questioning, it has been decided that His Highness be released to the Senator.

    “He has agreed to act as surety for his release on the condition that be will always assist the army and other agencies of government investigating the Okuama killing incident, to have access to the monarch whenever needed.”

    Nwachukwu said the release of the traditional ruler was in line with the army’s commitment to upholding rule of law and justice.

    He encouraged others declared wanted to make themselves available for questioning, assuring that they would receive fair and decent treatment.

    The army spokesman further assured that anyone found culpable would be strictly subjected to constitutional provisions for handling such cases.