• As gov warns monarch against shielding suspects
Miffed by the recent killing of 16 military officers at Okuama community in Ughelli South Council of Delta State, the state House of Assembly, yesterday, mandated Governor Sheriff Oborevweri to constitute a commission of enquiry to investigate and unravel the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.
Recall that Okuama community and Okoloba community in Bomadi Council, both in Delta State, had been engulfed in a crisis over land.
The lawmakers, who condemned the killings in strong terms, also asked the governor to compel relevant security agencies to investigate, arrest and prosecute those who carried out the dastardly act without delay.
This development followed a motion moved at plenary under matters of urgent public importance by the member representing Ughelli South State Constituency, Festus Utuama.
The lawmakers asked that measures be put in place to protect the elderly men, women, children and vulnerable persons, whom they said, had suffered untold hardship and loss of property since the crisis began about a week ago.
They commiserated with the families of the slain soldiers and the Nigerian Army, but appealed for a ceasefire to avoid further calamity.
The speaker, Emomotimi Guwor, directed that the motion be forwarded to the governor for immediate action just as he enjoined the House Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure full compliance with the resolution.
Meanwhile, Governor Oborevwori, yesterday, warned traditional rulers against shielding suspects involved in the killing of four military officers in Okuama.
Oborevwori gave the warning when he addressed traditional rulers on the killing at the state Traditional Rulers’ Council Secretariat in Asaba.
The governor, who said the act was alien to the state, described it as barbaric, inhumane and unacceptable and vowed that those who committed the evil act must be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He said no kingdom should shield the perpetrators of the dastardly act, adding that Delta was governed within the tenets of the rule of law and human decency.
Oborevwori said: “On the 7th of February, we summoned the people of Okoloba and Okuoma communities in Bomadi and Ughelli South Local Government Areas, including the members representing the two constituencies in the State House of Assembly, the Council Chairmen and their Presidents-General, where we told them that a lot has been happening in their area and they signed a peace accord.
“The killing of these army officers and soldiers came as a rude shock to us and when this thing happened, I immediately called the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief Army Staff because I was in Abuja. I came back and issued a press statement.
“On Monday, I went to Bomadi to meet with all the security chiefs, where we had our security council meeting and I got briefings from the Brigade Commander. In attendance was the G.O.C 6 Division Nigeria Army, Maj Gen Jamil Abdussalam and the JTF Commander, Real Admiral John Okeke.”
Responding, Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, Maj.-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (retd), said that they were on same the page with the governor to ensure peace and security in the state.
