Monarchs, retired security officers, clerics, and activists in the Niger Delta region collectively urged the Federal Government to intervene and instruct the Army to withdraw from the besieged Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State.
Their plea aimed to prevent further loss of life and alleviate tension in the oil-rich region. Additionally, they appealed to the criminals responsible for killing 17 military personnel and seizing their weapons on March 14 in Okuama to find a means to return the arms and ammunition to the appropriate authorities.
These stakeholders emphasized that the Army’s presence in Okuama for peace negotiations concerning a communal dispute between two communities was unnecessary.
They proposed that the Federal Government establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the events at Okuama thoroughly and devise strategies to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Furthermore, they advised the government to withdraw soldiers from other communities in Delta and Bayelsa states to de-escalate tensions.
Notable figures who voiced their concerns included HRM (Barr) Shadrach Peremobowei Erebulu, Aduo III, the traditional ruler of Kabowei Kingdom in Delta State; Wing Commander Patrick Biakpara (retd); Most Rev. Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi; environmentalist Comrade Alagoa Morris; Iniruo Wills, Co-convener of Embasara Foundation; Eric Omare, former president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC); and Engr. Udengs Eradiri, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the previous elections in Bayelsa State.
Since March 15, following the incident where lawbreakers killed a lieutenant colonel, two majors, and others in Okuama, the Nigerian Army has maintained a siege on the community and neighboring areas to apprehend the perpetrators. Consequently, villagers, including women and children, have fled Okuama and sought refuge in nearby forests for over a week, facing food shortages as neighboring communities, fearing reprisals from soldiers, have denied them shelter.
