The Ewu Clan Development Forum of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, representing the Okuama-Ewu community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, has made a heartfelt plea to President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Defense Staff Christopher Musa, and the Nigerian Army to allow the people of Okuama-Ewu access to their homeland.
In a report presented by the president-general, Chief Samuel Adjedjor, and secretary-general, Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, to the military Board of Inquiry established by the Defense Headquarters, the Forum expressed its inability to speak on behalf of Okuama-Ewu community regarding the unfortunate incident involving the killing of 17 soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army.
The report highlighted a letter addressed to the governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, dated February 2, 2024, wherein the Okuama-Ewu community reported an attack resulting in the deaths of individuals including Messrs. Igho Meshack, Power Awusa, and Okeimute Agbabulaka. They identified the mastermind behind the communal crisis and urged intervention from relevant authorities.
The Ewu-Urhobo kingdom emphasized the importance of granting Okuama-Ewu people access to their community, enabling them to present their plight to relevant authorities and the public accurately. They lamented the lack of access to surviving members of the Okuama-Ewu community since the military invasion on March 15.
Expressing condolences to the families of the slain officers and soldiers, the Ewu-Urhobo kingdom condemned the reprisal attack by the Nigerian Army on the Okuama-Ewu community and urged for an end to the continuous siege without granting access to law-abiding residents.
The conflict arose from land disputes between Okuama and Okoloba communities, escalating with the killing of three Okuama-Ewu indigenes on January 27, 2024. Despite efforts by the Okuama-Ewu community to seek intervention from governmental agencies, the situation remains unresolved.
The community’s solicitor, Innocent Ejedegba, urged thorough and unbiased investigation to prevent further escalation of violence and maintain law and order.
(sources : Vanguard)