A group, the Niger Delta Integrity Group (NDIG), has warned indigenes of Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area to refrain from spreading alleged lies against Okoloba Community in Bomadi Local Government Area all in Delta State.
Mangrovepen.ng recalls that 15 military personnel consisting of two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers were killed while reportedly responding to a distress call during a clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities on Thursday 14 March 2024.
Convener of the group, Dr. Boma Horsfall made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday.
According to him, “There is a conscious and deliberate attempt by Okuama Community to divert the attention of Nigerians away from the truth about the events that culminated in the gruesome killing of gallant officers of the Nigerian Military last week.
“It is no longer news that the Okuama Community has been oppressing the peace-loving people of Okoloba Community.
“For the records, while both communities are in Delta State, Okuama which is predominantly of the Urhobo ethnicity, is in Ughelli South Local Government Area, the Ijaw-constituted Okoloba Community is in Bomadi Local Government Area.”
Horsfall urged Nigerians to be aware that it was the people of Okoloba Community that made the distress call to the law enforcement agencies, including the Army and Police, in the wake of long-standing oppression and attacks from Okuama Community.
The group alleged that there are plans by Okuama Community backed by other Urhobo natives to spread lies and falsehood against the people of Okoloba Community and their kinsmen.
One of such plans, Horsfall noted is “the many lies fabricated against Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, the former DG of NIMASA, who is an advocate of peace and a man of great repute.”
The NDIG is a sociopolitical group dedicated to advancing the political, economic and social well-being of Ijaw people and Niger Deltans at large.
