By Tejiri Ebikeme
DELTA state government’s inaugurated Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC), Thursday called on security operatives to go after Benson Omadeli, Olajori (Spiritual Head) among others in Ugborodo, Warri South West local government area, following deaths of two indigenes in renewed leadership conflict.
But Benson Omadeli Olajori in swift denial, said, “I was not in town, I have been away, travelled, so I cannot comment on what is actually happening at the moment”,
Benson Okoturo and Samuel Mayomi, reportedly died over Tuesday’s armed youths repelling of the 52man UCMC and other indigenes on a ferry for a meeting in the oil rich community to unveil UCMC roadmap for meeting its one year mandate of restoring lasting peace to the community, turned apart by protracted leadership struggle.
Okoturo, member of the IMC reportedly collapsed and died at a Warri hospital from shock of sporadic gunshots while Mayomi drowned among other passengers after their boat was rammed into by another boat loaded with armed Ugborodo youths who also abducted and tortured five other victims during the tragic boat journey before releasing them on the intervention of the Nigerian Navy.
The attackers allegedly undermined the presence of a 106 man police team led by Superintendent Sola Adebayor on the orders of Zana Ibrahim, Delta state Commissioner of Police, CP, whose men reportedly watched like spectators as the armed men intercepted the victim’s on the ferry Kpokpor and Madangho.
At a press conference in Warri on Thursday, Austin Oborogbeyi, Chairman of the UCMC, alleged that but for the prompt backing of the police, the corpse of drowned Mayomi, after recovery from the waters, was almost hijacked again by the attackers with probably intention of destroying likely evidence against them.
Oborogbeyi statement alleged that, “Five victims were equally kidnapped by the attackers and detained in the home of Ofe Nene and later taken to the residence of Benson Omadeli where they were thoroughly beaten and caused bodily injuries before being later rescued.
“We have identities of some of those inside the attackers boats. The souls of our brothers confirmed dead cry out for justice. The lawlessness in Ugborodo must be brought to an end. This is what we demand from the Federal and Delta State Governments whose primary responsibility is to protect the lives and properties of citizens in any part of the country.”
Zana, the Delta CP, in his situation report on the crisis, said he was so far only aware of one death, and the eventual recovery of the corpse of the drowned deceased while also confirming that he had earlier granted the UCMC request for police prelude to the tragic boat trip to Ugborodo.
“If the matter has involved deaths and the complainant have mentioned names, it is now a criminal matter and we will treat it as such. Investigation is now on”, Zana explained.
