The Governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, visited the Okuama community of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state where 17 military officers and soldiers on a peace mission to the community were killed.
He assured locals who left the community during the crisis that it's safe for them to come back, and emphasized that innocent citizens should not suffer for something they're not involved in.
This was Oborevwori's first visit to the troubled community after reportedly being denied access by the military last month.
PUNCH Online reported that the Governor and his team departed from the Nigerian Port Authority in Warri on Saturday morning on a boat to Okuama.
The Governor was accompanied by top officials from his cabinet and security agencies in the state.
Operatives of the military Joint Task Force escorted the Governor to the community.
The Okuama community had been closed off by the military since the incident on March 14, where soldiers and civilians lost their lives.
Oborevwori, when speaking to State House correspondents last month, mentioned that he hadn't visited the community due to residents leaving following the military operation in the area.
On March 14, 17 military personnel were ambushed and killed around the Okuama community while on a peace mission over a disputed piece of land between Okuama, an Urhobo community, and Okoloba, an Ijaw community on March 17.
After the personnel were killed, the Nigerian military had identified eight individuals, including the traditional ruler of the Ewu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, and a respected professor and President-General of Ewu communities, as wanted for the soldiers' deaths.
The Ewu monarch, turned himself in to the police in Delta 24 hours after being declared wanted, and was then handed over to the military for questioning.
After spending three weeks in a military facility in Abuja, the traditional ruler was released in the early hours of Friday and handed over to Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District.
The released monarch of Ewu Kingdom, His Majesty Ovie Clement Ikolo, thanked the three Senators from Delta State at the National Assembly for their role in his release by the military.
He visited Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, in his Maitama, Abuja residence shortly after regaining his freedom, and expressed gratitude for Nwoko's efforts in interceding on his behalf and visiting him in his Asokoro cell.
He stated, "The day you visited me was the day I found my direction again. Your presence gave me hope".
In response, Senator Nwoko said that he was honored to have been involved in the process and thankful that the combined efforts produced positive results.
He urged the king not to be disheartened by the experience.
"Who knows what might have occurred if you weren't detained? Maybe it was necessary to prevent something worse," the Senator said.
Details later…
