By; UTEBOR PETER, Asaba
The Executive Council of Urhobo Traditional Rulers (Ukokor’Ivie r’Urhobo) and the executive of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) worldwide on Tuesday, called on Delta State Government to set up an independent truth commission to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crisis between Okuama in Ughelli South local Government Area and Okoloba in Bomadi local Government Area of Delta State.
This was contained in a seven point communique signed by the Chairman of the Urhobo Traditional Rulers council (Ukoko r’ Ivie r’Urhobo), HRM (Dr) Emmanuel E.Sideso, Abe I,JP OON, the ovie of Uvwie kingdom and the President General of Urhobo Progress Union worldwide, Chief Ese Gam Owe during a joint meeting of both Executive councils at the palace of the Uvwie Monarch, Effurun Uvwie local government Area of Delta State.
The groups urged the Delta State Government to provide a permanent solution to the crisis that affected the killing of Seventeen (17) Military Personnel and the razing down of Okuama Community by soldiers on revenge mission.
According to the communique, “That the Urhobo nation is highly pained by the unfortunate but avoidable bloodshed and the razing down of Okuama Community in Ughelli South LGA over the weekend particularly the killing of the seventeen Officers/Soldiers of the Nigerian Army and the reprisal mission of the Nigerian Army occasioning arson, killing of innocent/ vulnerable women and children of Okuama Community.
“That we commiserate with the families of the dead officers/soldiers who were killed in the avoidable/unfortunate incident.
“We also commiserate with the families of the innocent and vulnerable people of Okuama Community who have been rendered homeless, killed and/or displaced through the revenge mission of the Nigerian Army.
“We call on all parties to the impasse to sheathe their swords. Two wrongs can not make a right. Killings and counter-killings and/or arson is not and never a solution. All parties must give peace a chance.
“We call on the Government of Delta State to set up an independent truth commission to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the Okuama/Okoloba crisis and or causes of the frequent disagreements between the Urhobo and the ijaw communities/neighbours on the forcados Rivers of Delta State for a permanent solution.
“We call on the President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to prevail on the Nigerian Army to honour a round-table discussion that may be inaugurated by the Delta State Government to avoid future occurrence.
“We call on our Ijaw Traditional Rulers to join hands with us, their colleagues, Urhobo Traditional Rulers to work for sustainable peace on the Forcados Rivers particularly between the aged-long neighbours of Urhobo and ljaw Communities to achieve sustainable peace in the area.
“We wish to state that the Urhobo people are peace loving people who have been living in peace with their Ijaw neighbours from time immemorial.
“We remain committed to sustaining the peace, despite the unfortunate incident of the recent past.”
