By Abiola Olawale
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has assured the residents of the Okuama community located in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state that his administration is engaging in deliberate and strategic efforts to bring back peace and order to the deserted communities.
Oborevwori made this known during his first visit to the troubled community after he had earlier been reportedly denied access to the community by the military last month.
It would be recalled that residents of the Okuama community have been displaced in incidents following the killing of 17 military personnel who were on a peace mission to the community.
Speaking during his visit, the Governor assured indigenes who fled the community in the wake of the crisis of their safe return reiterating that “innocent citizens would not be made to suffer for what they know nothing about”.
He said: “The next phase is how to bring back and resettle innocent citizens of the Okuama community who have been displaced,” Governor Oborevwori said during the visit.
The New Diplomat reports that the Governor’s visit to Okuama follows the release of the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, His Majesty, King Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom., who had been in detention following the killing of the 17 military personnel.
It would be recalled that the monarch was released to the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial zone (Urhobo nation) Senator Ede Dafinone, On Friday.
The release is a follow-up to an earlier high-level fruitful engagement between Senator Dafinone and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
Senator Dafinone who was accompanied to the deliberations by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) and Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas (Delta South), was said to have had a far-reaching positive meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff on Wednesday on the need to release His Majesty, King Clement Ikolo.
Reacting to the development, the released monarch of Ewu Kingdom, His Majesty Ovie Clement Ikolo, applauded the three Senators from Delta State at the National Assembly for the key role they played in his release by the military.
The traditional ruler who visited Senator Nwoko in his Maitama, Abuja residence, in the company of his wife and some family members, shortly after regaining his freedom, expressed his gratitude.
The monarch appreciated the federal lawmaker for visiting the Chief of Defence Staff alongside other Delta Senators to intercede on his behalf and also for visiting him in his Asokoro cell.
He said: “The day you came to visit me was the day I regained my bearings. Your presence gave me hope”.
Responding, Senator Nwoko stated that he was humbled to have been instrumental in the process and grateful that the collective efforts yielded positive results.
He encouraged the king not to be discouraged by the ordeal.
