Some leaders of the Niger Delta, yesterday, pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to allow the people of Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, who fled their homes about 12 days ago, following the siege to the community by the Nigerian Army over the killing of 17 soldiers, to return home and pick the pieces of their lives.
They also suggested that the federal government tackle cultism and give traditional rulers the power to control the youths to curtail their excesses.
A former Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Udom Ekpoudom, and the Otota (prime minister) of the ancient Olomu Kingdom in Delta State, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje, made the call amid a report that a fresh communal clash is looming between another Urhobo and Ijaw communities in Delta State.
This is even as former Deputy Director of Defence Administration, Commodore Kunle, Olawunmi, said yesterday that the massacre of the military personnel was politically motivated, saying most of the militants in the region were affiliated with major politicians in the corridors of power.
In the same vein, Akpomudje, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, said: “Nobody is happy with what happened but that should not mean that innocent people who are not connected, be made to suffer, they are still human beings, no matter their level.
“There must be a positive and urgent step by President Bola Tinubu and his government to ensure that Okuama villagers return to the communities and live normal lives. It is not easy to live outside where you have lived all your life, where they sleep; and how you feed. Therefore, the government must act fast.”
On the continuing siege to the community, he said: “The President should prevail on the Nigerian Army for restraint, while efforts should be made to fish out those responsible for the act. It is, of course, condemnable by any reasonable person.
“But the news we are hearing is not pleasant, the President of the country needs to step in and put a halt to their activities in the community.
