By Francis Sadhere
The people of Oporoza community in Warri South West local government area of Delta state have cried out to the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Idris Ibrahim to help them talk to President Mohammadu Buhari to order the military to stop harassing their people.
The people made this passionate appeal during a one day working visit by the Acting IGP to Oporoza and Ugborodo communities in Delta state yesterday.
The people of Oporoza, the home town of former MEND leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo who has been in hiding, has been under military siege since the emergence of a new dreaded militant group linked to him, the Niger Delta Avengers, who have claimed responsibility for series of oil pipeline bombings in the region.
According to our correspondent, Oporoza, an Ijaw community was like a ghost town when the police boss arrived at the community as almost all the residents have deserted the area even as majority of them now live in the thick forest.
A community leader, Chief Joel Gbarasewei while narrating the sad tale the community has been passing through, pleaded with the police boss to call security operatives who do come in the night to harass people, to order.
“The military said they are searching for Tompolo and the man does not stay here. They (military) are tormenting our people day and night for no just cause. Besides, they should release our people in their custody, including students who came to write JSS and SSS examinations,” remark the community leader who was almost in tears.
Earlier, the Ibrahim had tasked the communities on the need for peace and pleaded with the leaders of warring communities in the Niger Delta to prevail on their youths to lay down their arms and pursue peace.
According to him rapid development can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence devoid of rancour and bitterness.
The Police Boss also insisted that there was no alternative to peace in the communities.
“We are in the two communities to preach peace and also appeal to the leaders to prevail on their warring youths to embrace dialogue,” stressed the police boss.
He maintained that his maiden visit to the communities was on the instance of President Mohammadu Buhari to bridge the gap between the police and the communities, adding that the two bodies must work together to usher in smooth and peaceful coexistence.
“It is the duty of of government to protect lives and property and I will assure you that the police will not shirk from its responsibility of achieving this all important assignment,” assured the police boss.
Idris Ibrahim who was accompanied on the one day official visit by the Delta State Commissioner of police, Izama Ibrahim and other senior police officers, however enjoined the people to be law abiding at all time.
