Delta community leader debunks conflict claims
Chairman of the Edjekota-Ogor community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Pastor Oghenemakpor Uyo has denied the existence of a crisis between Edjekota and Ewu in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
He said, “There is no crisis between the two neighbouring agrarian communities of Edjekota and Ewu in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
“What exists is a land dispute between a family in Edjekota community and a family in Ewu community, a matter currently being addressed through the appropriate legal channels at the Ughelli South Local Government Area Customary Court in Edjophe.”
Pastor Uyo stated all these in a statement made available to journalists at a press conference he addressed on Monday at Edjekota town hall.
He disclosed that the press conference was coming on the heels of a recent fatal attack on residents of the two communities, which was allegedly perpetrated by some security operatives.
The community leader called for justice in the matter since, according to him, “the Inspector General of Police had explicitly prohibited police involvement in land disputes as exhibited by the security operatives involved in this incident.”
Pastor Uyo declared, “We demand justice for the families affected and for the entire Edjekota and Ewu communities.
“Edjekota community will not rest until justice is served. Our fight is not just for the victims but for the dignity, rights, and peace of our community. We will continue to demand justice, no matter the obstacles.”
Pastor Uyo added that “even though the unlawful actions of police officers and vigilantes had led to the killing of members of both Edjekota and Ewu communities, leadership of the Ughelli Area Command were obscuring the truth in the matter by diverting attention from the real issue.”
He said, “We, the people of Edjekota community, unequivocally reject the actions of the police officers under the Ughelli Area Command and the attempts to criminalize our peaceful protest.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all Edjekota community members currently detained by the Delta State Police Command.
“The unlawful actions of police officers and vigilantes had led to the killing of members of both Edjekota and Ewu communities in what was ordinarily land disputes.
“The Edjekota community has several critical questions that demand immediate answers: who authorized the arrest of our farmers on their farmland by officers from the Ughelli Area Command? This action contradicts clear directives from the Inspector General of Police, which explicitly prohibits police involvement in land disputes.
“Who gave the order for the police officers and vigilantes to open fire on peaceful protesters in Edjekota, leading to the tragic loss of lives and severe injuries? Why are police officers under the Ughelli Area Command spreading false information about a violent communal conflict between Edjekota and Ewu communities, when both communities have coexisted peacefully for many years?
“In the light of these grave concerns, we call upon the Inspector General of Police to take immediate control of the investigation into these incidents.
“The lives lost and the injuries sustained cannot be ignored, and we call for full accountability of those responsible.
“We also urge the Delta State government to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the actions of the police officers and vigilantes involved in this tragedy.
“We demand justice for the families affected and for the entire Edjekota and Ewu communities. Edjekota community will not rest until justice is served.”
