News
Tensions Rise in Okpare-Olomu as Military Prevents Annual Conference, Leading to Shooting and Protests
By Our Reporter, Warri
A violent altercation erupted in the Okpare community in Olomu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, after a botched attempt to hold the annual community conference. The event was scheduled for Thursday but was disrupted by a military presence, sparking a series of events that led to a shooting and several arrests.
John Ogedegbe, a resident of Okpare, was allegedly shot by a member of the Vigilante Group that had been deployed to assist military personnel in preventing the conference from taking place.
The victim, who was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment, was later arrested by the police from Ekpan Police Station. Ogedegbe is currently being detained.
The confrontation stemmed from a protest by the community’s youths and a woman against the military’s takeover of their town hall, which was to host the conference.
The protestors, who were calling for the community’s right to hold its annual meeting, were subsequently arrested by the police operatives from Otu-Jeremi Police Divisional Headquarters. As of the latest update, eight youths and one woman remain in police custody.
Mr. Okiemute Otaka, the President-General of Okpare-Olomu, confirmed the shooting incident and the arrest of the protestors.
He insisted that the protestors were peaceful and only sought to oppose the military occupation of their community space. Otaka emphasized that there was no court order halting the conference, and the use of military and security forces was an unlawful attempt to undermine the community’s decision-making authority.
“The annual conference is the highest decision-making body in Okpare-Olomu, and no court has canceled it. It is where we present our stewardship to the people. The opposition to the conference stems from those who seek to cover up the illegal sale of community land,” Otaka said, reaffirming his leadership and the community’s dedication to peace.
In contrast, the Ughelli South Local Government Chairman, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, defended the military’s presence, stating that security forces had been deployed to maintain order and enforce the local government’s decision to postpone the conference.
According to a statement released by the Ughelli South LGA, the conference was postponed due to a court order prohibiting community meetings while legal proceedings were underway.
“The military and other security agencies were deployed to ensure compliance with the local government chairman’s order to postpone the conference,” the statement read. “This was done to prevent any potential unrest and to maintain peace and stability in the community.”
Despite the official stance, the disruption led to widespread unrest. On Friday, over 1,000 women gathered at the palace of the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, staging a protest against the security forces’ involvement.
The women expressed strong support for Mr. Otaka’s leadership and condemned the military’s intervention, accusing opponents of the conference of hiding illegal activities, particularly in relation to the sale of community land.
The protesters urged the Olomu monarch to intervene in the crisis to restore peace and ensure the community’s right to self-determination is upheld.
As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on the intervention of local leaders and security agencies to resolve the growing tension and restore calm to Okpare-Olomu.
A violent altercation erupted in the Okpare community in Olomu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, after a botched attempt to hold the annual community conference. The event was scheduled for Thursday but was disrupted by a military presence, sparking a series of events that led to a shooting and several arrests.
John Ogedegbe, a resident of Okpare, was allegedly shot by a member of the Vigilante Group that had been deployed to assist military personnel in preventing the conference from taking place.
The victim, who was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment, was later arrested by the police from Ekpan Police Station. Ogedegbe is currently being detained.
The confrontation stemmed from a protest by the community’s youths and a woman against the military’s takeover of their town hall, which was to host the conference.
The protestors, who were calling for the community’s right to hold its annual meeting, were subsequently arrested by the police operatives from Otu-Jeremi Police Divisional Headquarters. As of the latest update, eight youths and one woman remain in police custody.
Mr. Okiemute Otaka, the President-General of Okpare-Olomu, confirmed the shooting incident and the arrest of the protestors.
He insisted that the protestors were peaceful and only sought to oppose the military occupation of their community space. Otaka emphasized that there was no court order halting the conference, and the use of military and security forces was an unlawful attempt to undermine the community’s decision-making authority.
“The annual conference is the highest decision-making body in Okpare-Olomu, and no court has canceled it. It is where we present our stewardship to the people. The opposition to the conference stems from those who seek to cover up the illegal sale of community land,” Otaka said, reaffirming his leadership and the community’s dedication to peace.
In contrast, the Ughelli South Local Government Chairman, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, defended the military’s presence, stating that security forces had been deployed to maintain order and enforce the local government’s decision to postpone the conference.
According to a statement released by the Ughelli South LGA, the conference was postponed due to a court order prohibiting community meetings while legal proceedings were underway.
“The military and other security agencies were deployed to ensure compliance with the local government chairman’s order to postpone the conference,” the statement read. “This was done to prevent any potential unrest and to maintain peace and stability in the community.”
Despite the official stance, the disruption led to widespread unrest. On Friday, over 1,000 women gathered at the palace of the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, staging a protest against the security forces’ involvement.
The women expressed strong support for Mr. Otaka’s leadership and condemned the military’s intervention, accusing opponents of the conference of hiding illegal activities, particularly in relation to the sale of community land.
The protesters urged the Olomu monarch to intervene in the crisis to restore peace and ensure the community’s right to self-determination is upheld.
As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on the intervention of local leaders and security agencies to resolve the growing tension and restore calm to Okpare-Olomu.
