THE people of Okuama community in Ewu kingdom of Ughelli South Local government Area, have appealed and called for the unconditional release of their leaders arrested by suspected military men at different locations across Delta State.
These appeal was made by family members and some community leaders after the arrest of six persons including a woman.
The arrest of Prof Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr James Oghoroko, Dennis Okugbaye, Pa Anthony Ahwemuria and Mrs Rita Akata has continued to generate tension among the indigenes of Ewu kingdom.
Narrating how her husband was arrested, wife of Chief Belvis Adogbo said, “At about after six to seven O’clock on Monday morning, when I woke up and saw my husband with a fuse was to fix the light while he was preparing to go out.
“When I opened the balcony we saw over 20 military men in uniform, police uniform and some were in mufty and Jalabia, another was dress in cooperate.
“They ask my husband his name and he told them, they asked us to open the gate and our little daughter that was playing games with my phone was asked by the security men to stop using the phone at the moment.
“One of them who dressed corporately introduced himself to us as DSS from Abuja and he flashed his identity card from a distance and that was the end.
“We never heard from them and we don’t know where they took him to till this moment, his mobile phone is switched and there is no channel of communication till now. We were told that they came with about four Hilux of army.
“We are pleading for his release because he has health challenges, he was to go for medical check up before he was arrested, the children want to see their father.
“Currently I am sick because of this arrest and we are appealing to the State Governor Oborevwori, President Tinubu and well meaning Nigerians to prevail on those that arrested him and others to be released unconditionally.
“We are aware that Okuama has issues and our husbands have been at the fore front for peace to return, he has being among those mediating for the return of peace to both communities.” She stated.
Reacting also, Chief Belvis elder brother, Charles Adogbo said, “I got a distress call on Monday that my brother has been arrested by the army and up till this moment, we have been able to know where they have taken him to.
“We are appealing to the relevant authorities to locate where Belvis is and I am also appealing to the army to release Belvis unconditionally because he is a peace loving person.
“He has been among those that stood firmly and holding meetings with the state government and security agents for peace to return to Okuama.
“For him to be arrested is really surprising because, he was not declared wanted by the army and our appeal is that the relevant authorities should listen to our voices and release my brother Belvis Adogbo unconditionally.” He said.
Some leaders of Okuama community who spoke disclosed that the recent arrest of their leader has further thrown the community into confusion and the sincerity of security agents in doubt
According to Victor Akemo, “After the crisis, we have been coming together gradually and discussing with state commissioner of Police and whoever that is involved and these discussions have been going on peacefully until this latest occurrence.
“Suddenly thing took another twist and all the community leaders have been arrested without any information, we don’t know those behind this arrest.
“We are pleading with the federal and state governments to prevail on those that arrested our people and let the public know their offence.
“The entire community is not stable because we don’t know the next person to be arrested. After the destruction of the community and various meetings, peace was returning to the community before this arrest and we are pleading with relevant authorities to ensure that those arrested be released.
“We cannot be running everyday and we want our people to be set free, the unfortunate incident of March 14, happened around Okuama community but Okuama people did not have hand in their killing.” Akemor stated.
On his part, Emmauel Okrika explained the unfortunate incident, “On that day, they came to Okuama we received and entertained them because we knew they are government people and on their way back, there were speed boats in the river that were shooting and we want security agents to investigate those speed boats that do the shooting that led to their death.
“While they were going three boats came from the other side and some from Bomadi side and started shooting, we lost over a 100 persons in Okuama and that was where the army were killed.
“Our community has already been destroyed and now that the government is wanting to rebuild it, we should allow peace to reign.” He said.
Another leader, Hon. Jacob Akemor said, “The recent arrest of our community is strange to us because has started returning but suddenly all our leaders are being arrested, they are being traced to their various homes in the city to be arrested.
“The youngest person arrested amongst these persons should be 65-yr and they cannot face the stress and challenges, we want them to be released in as much as peace is returning.
“With this arrest,the people are scared of going back to the Okuama, we want the Nigeria army to return these people if they are responsible for their arrest and allow the peace process to continue.
“Everybody is currently afraid after the arrest and those that have returned back to Okuama have started packing from the community as they don’t know who would be the next target.
“After the arrest we contacted the Delta State Commissioner of police to know and he said he is not aware, we contacted the DSS and they said same, so we are afraid because we don’t know who is behind the arrest
“Now that the state government is planning to rebuild the community, we should all allow peace to reign.” He stated.
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