ASABA: Following the troops’ invasion of the riverine settlement in response to the deaths of 17 military officers and men, over 12 residents of Okuama-Ewu community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have been trapped in the forests since last month.
They have perished from malnourishment, illness, and snake bites. This occurred on the same day that human rights advocate Femi Falana, SAN, wrote to Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, requesting that the Police take up the investigation into the incident that occurred in the community.
In an effort to relocate and rehabilitate the displaced villages, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori established an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) management committee yesterday.
Members are Chief Oviri Uto, Josephine Oduaran, Obukohwo Henry Ediyo, Karo Ovemeso, Festus Utuama, Reuben Izeze, Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Dr. Richard Kofi, the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, and Austin Ohwofaria, the camp commandant. Oborevwori: “Innocent people shouldn’t suffer needlessly.”
Governor Oborevwori welcomed everyone to the committee’s inauguration yesterday at Government House in Asaba. The group is tasked with organising and arranging for the settlement and rehabilitation of our people at Okuama.
Even though we strongly denounce the heinous deed that claimed the lives of our brave commanders and troops in the Nigerian Army, we will do everything we can to protect the innocent.
As I mentioned during my recent visit to Okuama, the military, as well as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, concurred that innocent citizens of Okuama shouldn’t have to endure senseless suffering.
For this reason, we genuinely think that the innocent will soon be going back to their homes. It is now appropriate that a committee be formed by the government to organise their rehabilitation and relocation before they return.
We owe our people at least this much: while we make sufficient plans for their rehabilitation and reintegration, we also need to reassure them and give them a sense of belonging.
Be aware that your selection has been carefully considered in light of your past behaviour. As a result, we are sure that you will perform an open, meticulous, and unselfish work that will make the people of Okuama and all Deltans proud of you as you make the necessary preparations to care for them and ease their suffering.
Give this task a strong sense of urgency; we have a duty to treat our people with the utmost love and care. The least we can do for them is that. We’ll be careful and unselfish.
In response, committee chairman Abraham Ogbodo thanked the governor for appointing them to the committee on behalf of the members. He told the governor and Deltans that their nomination to the committee is a call to service and promised to live up to expectations by providing the people with the necessary services.
More than 12 deaths from illnesses, malnutrition, and snake bites are on file with us. 48 hours before yesterday’s inauguration, one of the Okuama-Ewu community’s elders told Vanguard, “Many of our people have died since running into the bush.” We have over 12 deaths due to snakebite, illness, and starvation on file.
Speaking with our reporters just hours before yesterday’s inauguration, one of the Okuama-Ewu community’s elders stated: “Many of our people have died since running into the bush.” We have over 12 deaths due to snakebite, illness, and starvation on file. “We are still looking for our missing people because most of them are dispersed; we have been able to recover some of them, but we have not seen others until now,” stated another.
As you can see, our people haven’t returned to the community up until now. This has cost us a tremendous deal of grief. As we speak, the majority are still in the bush, trying to make ends meet. Some are aimlessly exploring new areas.