…As Police Arrest PDP Ward Chairman
From Ameachi Prosper (The New Diplomat’s Delta Correspondent)
The people of Emede have demanded the immediate reversal of the suspension slammed on their monarch, HRH, Johnson Omote by the chairman of Isoko South LGA.
The monarchs in the two warring communities of Emede and Igbide were suspended following the last week’s brutal clashes.
The chairman of Emede Progressive Union, Abuja branch, Mr Omrys Ofo, in a press conference said, “we emphatically reject the purported suspension of our King, HRH. Johnson Omote Ewhiri II by the Chairman of Isoko South LGA as in all these events, the people of Emede are not the aggressors.
“We therefore demand an immediate reversal of the purported suspension of the Ovie of Emede as the powers to coronate or dethrone a King under the Emede customs and tradition are outside the purviews of the powers of a Local Government Chairman.”
He also condemned the purported suspension of the President General of Emede, Dr. Avae by the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government.
Omrys pointed out that on 9th December, 2020 without any provocation Emede community was attacked by the armed youths of Igbide killing over 7 persons with 35 other persons still missing and unaccounted for.
“They also set ablaze over 50 houses and shops as well as the Emede Market including my own house, and those of my father and elder brother.
“They also looted properties and traders’ goods and as a result of this attack, the Emede Town was deserted by many for few hours by scores of the people of Emede.”
He announced that normalcy has returned to the community and the people are working on rehabilitating buildings that were badly impacted by the attack and working on ways to avoid any such attacks in future.
“Our delegates that visited Emede to physically assess the extent of damage and consult with the entire leadership of Emede both within the community, within the country and abroad resolved that Emede people condemn in the strongest terms the unprovoked attacks on our people and are not taking lightly the killing and kidnap of our people by the people of Igbide under the direct instructions of the leadership of Igbide.
He urged the Commissioner of Police in the state to intensify his efforts to arrest those behind the attack and to rescue their missing brothers and sisters.
“The young boy by the name Clinton in the now famous video of the attack must be arrested and made to name his other accomplices. Emede will not accept any excuse or pressures from any quarter to release the armourers of the youths of Igbide in the person of Christopher Irivri-Ubulubu and other persons already in police custody.
According to Omrys, the people of Emede have resolved to use every available legal means to pursue the investigation of this attack and to bring the people responsible including their sponsors to book no matter how highly placed such individuals are.
He thanked the good people of Oleh, Uzere, Irri, Olomoro and our other good neighbors who gave our people shelter in the period of distress, just as he vowed that the Emede people will use every lawful means to get justice.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a ward chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Isoko area of the state and the two others with firearms.
The said party chairman for Igbide ward in Isoko South LGA of the state, Christopher Irivi-Ukulubu and the two others were arrested by military operatives at their hideouts in one of the government schools in Igbide.
The operatives had stormed two warring communities of Igbide and Emede to restore normalcy when the three suspects were apprehended allegedly with a gun and other ammunition.
Said to be in his 50s, Irivi-Ukulubu is also the husband of the Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Women Development.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, who confirmed the arrest to newsmen, said the police had commenced investigation into the incident.
Igbide and it’s neighbouring Emede have been embroiled in inter-communal clashes as a result of boundary dispute.
The clashes have claimed many lives with several others sustained injuries while properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed.
It was learnt the boundary dispute is age-long, claiming over 100 lives between 1986 and 1987 when there was violence outbreak.
The latest crisis, apart from claiming five lives, has led to the suspension of major stakeholders in both communities including the traditional rulers and the presidents-general.
