The crisis in the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State has attracted significant attention from leaders and stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.
The situation began with the killing of 17 military personnel, leading to a military siege on the community and causing widespread displacement and increased tensions.
Leaders and influencers from various sectors, including traditional rulers, retired security officers, clerics, and activists, have united in calling on the Federal Government to take decisive action to address the escalating crisis.
Retired Air Force officer Wing Commander P.Y. Biakpara emphasized the importance of following rules of engagement, stating that the police should handle situations before the army is called in.
“If there is any small issue, one person will run to the army checkpoint and soldiers will go there—nonsense! That means our army has nothing to do!
“I am not happy about what happened at Okuama, and I sympathize with the families of the lost heroes as well as innocent civilian lives lost in this issue. I’m not happy about the whole thing.
“The government should be well advised that they should not use the military in this wrong way; they are using the military very, very carelessly.
“The military is not made to make peace, and even if they make peace, they will kill people to make that peace.”
The Pere (traditional ruler) of Kabowei Kingdom in Patani Local Government Area, Delta State, HRM (Barr) Shadrach Peremobowei Erebulu, Aduo III, stated: “It is a sad incident that we never envisaged in our dear state that has been peaceful.
“To the military, I urge them to employ their tactics in investigating and fishing out these persons. I know the military has a way they go about things, their intelligence. In doing that, let them be wary of attacking or hurting innocent persons because at times like this, you may not know the perpetrators.
“If innocent persons are affected, it turns the whole ball around, so they should not cause more problems in the communities.’’
