The nation must still be reeling from the shock suffered when 17 officers and men of the Nigerian army were literally disemboweled at Okuama, an Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area on March 14, 2024.
The horror of the murders and the circumstances under which they took place fill us with continuing anxiety.
However, we as Urhobos have a special duty of care on this matter.
Okuama is our God-given land and the vileness and reverses suffered by all parties, unraveled on our land.
We denounce the killing of the military and civilians and condemn the indignities heaped on them.
We offer our condolences and pray that the loved ones they left behind will have the fortitude to cope with their unexpected transition.
We join and support our other Urhobo institutions, our Kings, the UPU at home and
abroad, National Assembly members, individuals and other well-meaning Nigerians in Delta State and across our country who have also condemned the killings and deaths of innocent citizens caught in the aftermath.
They have called for the Federal Government to establish a proper Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the killings, the events leading up to them as well as the aftermath, and highlight the unusual items so that they can be addressed and the truth unraveled.
We call attention to the enduring climate of fear In Okuama and adjoining districts and how this has continued to affect innocent lives.
We note in particular one of our Kings was declared Wanted.
We found this disturbing as
we value our Kings highly.
Fortunately, the king turned himself in to the authorities and after 3 weeks has been released to our Distinguished Senator Ede Dafinone.
The Delta State Governor was also finally allowed to enter Okuama and see things for himself shortly after.
These are steps in the right direction.
The next urgent step is the return of the citizens to their ancestral land and proper
rehabilitation of all displaced persons.
We call on the State Government, other relevant National institutions, and well-meaning Nigerians to set up structures/IDP camps for the displaced families especially women and
children.
The Urhobos are a strong complement of the Nigerian federation and deserve to be
accorded all the honour they deserve.
The Urhobos do not have a strong convention of militancy but they are acute defenders
and promoters of peace and equity.
We ourselves as members of the Urhobo Leadership Forum align with this convention but
at the same time recommend that the OKUAMA crisis must be treated diligently.
The military must be treated with great respect and must also be encouraged to do the
same to the civilian population.
There are so many stories in the social and mainstream media. It is important that clarity is produced in place of rumors. It is also of tremendous importance that the nation knows
the truth so that justice and rehabilitation can emerge.
This way the perpetrators of the heinous killings will be brought out to face the full wrath of the law, while innocent civilians are saved from further hardship to face up to the future.
Long live the Urhobo Nation,
Long live Delta State,
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Olorogun (Dr.) Peter Igho MFR
Oresident
Mr. Robert Itawa
General Secretary
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