A potential new communal clash is brewing between the Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State following the withdrawal of soldiers from the area.
The ongoing crisis between these communities has already resulted in the killing of 17 soldiers from the Nigerian Army. In response, the women of the Okoloba community in Bomadi Local Government Area staged a peaceful protest on Saturday against the return of armed youths to their area.
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Dressed in black, the protestors, led by Mrs. Timipakebi Goodwin, Chairlady of Okoloba community and Mrs. Mary Koibi, Secretary, marched along the coastal fringe of Okoloba, chanting slogans against violence and calling on the Federal Government for assistance. Their placards bore messages such as “We say No to violence,” “Enough of the killings on our land,” and “We mourn the killing of the 17 soldiers.”
In a protest letter addressed to the Police, DSS, NSCDC, JTF, and the Acting Chairman of Bomadi LGA, Mrs. Goodwin warned that the armed youths could kill at the slightest provocation. The letter stated, “Less than 24 hours after the exit of the troops from Okuama, fresh crisis erupted with another neighboring community, culminating in the killing of one person while three others were seriously injured.”
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She elaborated that the individuals who were attacked had allegedly gone to loot, demonstrating that the Okuama people might kill with little provocation, posing a threat to neighboring Ijaw communities like Okoloba.
The letter also called for the resettlement of Okuama people among their Ewu brothers in Ughelli South LGA to prevent further violence. Mrs. Goodwin noted that recent actions by Okuama youths, including armed displays in the Mein-toruabubor creek, had heightened tensions.
“We are calling on the Federal Government to come to our aid. The solution to these incessant clashes and killings is for the government to relocate Okuama to Ewu clan in Ughelli South LGA, where they truly belong. This will foster mutual trust among themselves as they share the same ancestry and dialect,” the letter read.
The women of Okoloba community also expressed their condolences for the 17 soldiers killed during a peace and rescue mission following the kidnapping of a local resident, praying for the repose of their souls and the comfort of their families.
This protest and call for action highlight the urgent need for intervention to prevent further bloodshed and ensure the safety of all communities involved.