Over the weekend, the Governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, paid a visit to the Okuama community of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area. This visit came in the aftermath of the tragic event where 17 military officers and soldiers were killed during a peace mission to the community.
During his visit, Governor Oborevwori reassured the indigenes who had fled the community due to the crisis of their safety upon return. He emphasized that innocent citizens should not bear the burden of circumstances they are not responsible for.
This marked the Governor’s first visit to the troubled community after facing alleged denial of access by the military in the previous month.
Reports revealed that the Governor and his delegation embarked on a boat journey from the Nigerian Port Authority jetty in Warri to Okuama on Saturday morning.
The Governor was accompanied by key members of his cabinet and heads of security agencies in the state, with the military Joint Task Force providing escort to the community.
Following the tragic incident on March 14, where military personnel lost their lives, tension had enveloped the Okuama community leading to a military blockade since then.
Earlier, Governor Oborevwori had expressed difficulty in visiting the deserted community due to ongoing military operations in the area, as mentioned during his visit to President Bola Tinubu.
The aftermath of the incident saw the Nigerian military declaring certain individuals wanted in connection to the killing of the soldiers, including the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom. Subsequently, the monarch surrendered to the authorities for interrogation.
After spending three weeks in military custody, the traditional ruler was eventually released and handed over to Senator Ede Dafinone. His release was attributed to the collaborative efforts of Delta State Senators at the National Assembly.
During a visit to Senator Ned Nwoko, the freed monarch expressed gratitude for the support and intervention that led to his release, while Senator Nwoko humbly acknowledged his role in the process.
As the community continues its recovery process, the hope for peace and reconciliation remains a key focus in moving forward.