Emmanuel Ukudolo I Friday, March 21, 2024
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Urhobo Progressive Union(UPU) Youth Wing, has called on the Federal Government to allow the people of Okuama to tell their stories by removing all obstacles that have been put in place by the Nigeria Army.
President of the Union, Blessed Ughere spoke on Arise News, following continuous siege on Okuama by the army after the death of 17 galant soldiers on alleged peace mission in the area.
“Open up the place to allow for independent investigation. My people are suffering, they are in the bush, they have no access to food, the federal government should do the needful according to international standard”, he appealed.
Since the incident, the governors of affected communities, the Delta State Governor, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori and his Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Duoye Diri have not been given access to Okuama, neither have journalists, even those covering defence been granted access to the crime scene just as reports are rife that dozens of residents have been killed in both communities.
Former lawmaker, Henry Daniel Ofongo said that he has at least 10 people known to him who have been killed by the Nigerian Army apart from many others that cannot be recognised by his people in Oporoza Gbaramatu area.
The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Jonathan Lokpobiri also said that over 80 people have been killed by the Nigerian Army in the reprisal against the Okuama killings.
Blessed Ogere said Okuama people are Urhobos adding that that Urhobo people and Ijaw people are not at war and that the Federal Government should act in line with international law by setting up independent commission of inquiry to investigate and find out the truth so that his people can tell their own story.
He said up till now, only the army has told their own story while Okuama people were denied same opportunity while what is in circulation about the Okuama story has remained at the realms of speculation.
He said his people are in the bush, hiding while other Nigerians are living peacefully in their various communities. He said Urhobos are not killers and have never been associated with killing soldiers.
Ughere said that since the military said they have identified the killers, they should go after the killers and leave his people alone to go about their normal business.
