APPREHENSION has continued to gripped the people of Ughelli South and Okuama Indigene in particular in Delta State with the renewed suspected military offensive against leaders and citizens of Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area with the arrest of six persons in Sapele, Ughelli and Otu-Jeremi.
The series of arrests started on Sunday with wanted President General of Ewu Kingdom, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo picked up by men in military uniforms at an undisclosed location in Sapele.
Ekpekpo after his arrest was used Monday morning as a pointer to apprehend Dennis Okubaye, Secretary of Okuama community in Ughelli.
The military which simultaneously laid siege at Iwhrenene Community in five Toyota Hilux also pounced on Chief Belvis Adogbo, Okuama Community political leader at his residence at about after seven of Monday morning.
The Operatives in a commando style further arrested James Oghoroko, Okuama community President General, Monday at his Ogilo street in Oteri area of Ughelli.
It was learned that those arrested ,four in numbers are currently being detained at a military facility at Agbarha-Otor community in Ughelli North Area.
Suspected Operatives Tuesday morning stormed the sleepy Otu-Jeremi headquarters of Ughelli South and arrested Pa Anthony Awhemuria, an Okuama elder in a similar fashion.
Ahwemuria was then used as a pointer to track and arrest Mrs. Rita Akata, wife of David Akata, Vice President General of Okuama and wanted Okuama leaders by men who claimed to be Police from Benin.
The arrests according to sources may not be unconnected to the March incident which led to the death of 17 military personnel near Okuama community.
The situation has caused serious apprehension amongst Okuama people with some at the Internally Displaced Camp at Ewu and other places fleeing for safety.
A source from Okuama community said that the situation has also caused tension in the devastated community with angry youths left in confusion.
The arrest of Okuama leaders is coming at a time peace is gradually returning to the troubled community as Delta state Government and Urhobo Traditional Rulers are making plans to resettle the displaced people.
A security official in Ughelli who craved anonymity said that the suspected military offensive will continue in Bomadi, Ughelli and Ughelli South Council areas according to orders received.
Recall, Okuama community was completely razed in March 2024 by soldiers of the Nigerian Army in a reprisal attack following the murder of 17 military personnel by unknown gunmen near the community.
Every building including hospital, schools and other private buildings in the agrarian community were uprooted and reduced to rubbles.
The Ewu Traditional Ruler, HRM Clement Ikolo who surrendered to Police in Asaba was later forcefully taken to Abuja and kept for many weeks before he was released.
After the King release, the military occupation of the ruined Okuama later came to an end and indigenes started returning to begin life afresh.
The current arrest of leaders is viewed as a spanner in the rebuilding process already commenced by the Delta State Government owing to the apprehension it has created.
As at the time of filing this report, no formal information has been received as to the reason for the arrest of the community leaders.
