Oginibo crisis: Ughelli South Council seeks enforcement of stay-off order on conference ~ Truth Reporters

In a bid to avert further break down of law and order in Oginibo community, the Chairman Ughelli South Local Government Council, Hon. Dr. Richard Kofi has called on the police to enforce the stay-off order on the proposed conference of the community slated for 25th and 26th December, 2019.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Dr Kofi said the enforcement of the stay-off order had become necessary following intelligent reports that there could be further clashes as both warring factions where bent on holding the Conference at same time and same venue.

The letter which was copied to the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa; The Inspector General Of Police; the Assistant Inspector-General of Police AIG Zone 5-Benin, the Director Department Of State Service DSS-Asaba and the Secretary to the State Government, reads thus "As you are aware, following the continued spate of violence at Oginibo Community situated in Ughelli South Local Government Area, that had lead to the death of life, arsons and many persons injured, the Delta State Committee on Peace Building and Conflicts Resolution directed the warring factions to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the crux of the matter which is the change of the Community name from Oginibo to Oginibu.

"Arising from recent security report that both factions had fixed December 25th and 26th 2019 to hold their Annual General Conference at same Venue on the above date, the Committee advised that the proposed conference be put on hold.

"The Peace Building and Conflicts Resolution Committee is of the opinion that allowing the Conference to hold will have negative impact on the peace process and might lead to anarchy. And this line of thinking had been communicated and gotten the consent of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State.

"In the light of the above, the Local Government humbly request that more security personnel be drafted to Oginibo to help enforce the stay off order on the proposed conference by both factions on same date and same venue.

"Looking forward to your prompt and timely intervention to forestall further break down of Law and Order at Oginibo Community, please," the Chairman stated.

Also reacting to the development, the member representing Ughellli South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Comrade Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben, said he aligns with the position of the Council Chairman and supports the call for the enforcement of the stay-off order.

Izeze who is an indigene of the community said the rule of law should be enforced as the root cause of the crisis was known to all and sundry.

"Let me reiterate for the umpteenth time that as the Honourable Member representing Ughelli South State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly I call on the Nigerian Police in Delta State to to it's job of maintaining Law and order and safeguarding life and properties of Law abiding citizens of OGINIBO community in Ughelli South State Constituency of Delta State without minding whose ox is gored.

"The rule of law should be enforced without treating murderers,arsonists and their sponsors with kid gloves.

"The root cause of this crisis is known to even the laymen on the streets talk more of an organisation like yours with intelligence gathering capabilities at its disposal.

"I hereby align myself with the position of the LGA Council Chairman as expressed above," Izeze stated