The Nation Newspaper

Tag: COMMUNITY

  • ‘Community-driven solutions can break cycle of poverty’

    ‘Community-driven solutions can break cycle of poverty’

    Bernice Akinwande, founder of Bernice Oasis Outreach spoke with Deputy News Editor, JOSEPH JIBUEZE

    Why do you believe the strongest solutions are community-driven?

    From experience, I have learned that the most sustainable solutions come from people who live with the problem every day. When communities define their own priorities, solutions reflect real needs rather than external assumptions, and people take ownership of what they help to create.

    During BOO’s Secure Our Tomorrow Project, parents and school leaders identified school fees, not lack of supplies, as the main barrier keeping children out of school. That shaped our decision to provide scholarships instead of one-off materials. Community-driven solutions do more than address problems; they restore dignity and create lasting impact.

    What examples have you seen where communities created their solutions with support?

    One example is Oloya Wellness Project, where community leaders identified malnutrition, not just hunger, as the core issue. Their input helped us design a nutrition-plus-education approach that changed feeding habits rather than simply distributing meals.

    Another example is our Fun While Learning project in Lagos. School administrators and pupils co-designed the activities, ensuring the game house reflected their learning needs. These projects succeeded because communities shaped the approach, while BOO provided structure, coordination, and resources.

    How does BOO involve community members in identifying needs and shaping interventions?

    At BOO, we listen. Every outreach starts with community mapping and conversations with local leaders, mothers, teachers, and young people, with a brief assessment of their social and economic realities.

    This approach guided the Tiny Tummies, Big Future Project, where families expressed concerns about infant nutrition and early childhood health. Their input shaped what we provided and how it was delivered. We don’t assume, we ask what would make life better today and in the next five years. Those  answers guide us, whether through food drives, school libraries, health screenings, or skills development. Communities are co-creators, not just beneficiaries.

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    From your work and community engagement, do you see a shift from donations to empowerment?

    Absolutely. Many communities are tired of temporary relief; they want real tools, knowledge, and opportunities to build their future. People do not want to depend on aid, they want to grow.

    That is why one of our flagship initiatives is Boomerang Project, which gives scholarships and academic support so children can access education that transforms families. The shift from donations to empowerment is happening, and BOO is committed to leading that through programmes that secure long-term change, not just short-term relief.

    What long-term changes occur when people are empowered instead of receiving handouts?

    Empowerment reshapes how people see themselves and their future. Through initiatives like the Boomerang Project, we have seen how investing in a child’s education creates ripple effects far beyond the individual.

    When people gain knowledge and opportunity, they begin to make informed decisions, pursue long-term goals, and uplift others around them. Empowerment builds confidence, independence, and community resilience.

    What mistakes do organisations make when they fail to engage communities properly?

    The most common mistake is assuming community needs instead of asking. Many organisations design interventions from offices rather than from the field.

    Another mistake is imposing solutions rather than building alongside the community. This often leads to poor adoption, wasted resources, and projects that collapse once external support ends. Meaningful community engagement is not optional, it is the foundation of sustainable impact.

    What systems or frameworks does BOO use to ensure outreach is impactful and not random?

    BOO operates a structured community-impact framework built around four key pillars:

    Needs Assessment: Rapid surveys, focus group discussions, and on-ground observation.

    Co-Creation: Community members actively participate in designing interventions.

    Implementation with Local Partners: Teachers, health workers, community leaders, and youth volunteers.

    Monitoring and Follow-Up: Documenting outcomes, measuring reach, and evaluating change.

    This framework allows us to move beyond “doing outreach” to building measurable impact. Every project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 1–4 and is designed to deliver lasting value.

    What is your vision for a community that solves its own problems?

    My vision is a community that no longer waits for external rescue, a community confident enough to design its own solutions and organised enough to implement them.

    This is what we work towards through initiatives such as BOOtech in Anambra, which equips young people with technology skills, mentorship, and pathways into sustainable careers, and B.O.O in Boots, which combines sports and scholarships to build discipline, teamwork, and educational opportunity.

    Ultimately, I want to see communities move from survival to self-direction, communities that do not just survive, but flourish because they possess the knowledge, networks, and systems to thrive independently.

  • Imo community’s electrification project ends decades of darkness

    Imo community’s electrification project ends decades of darkness

    The Onugotu Egbelu Community in Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Southeast Nigeria, was agog on Tuesday, December 31, last year. This followed the inauguration of a multi-million naira 500KVA electricity transformer acquired through self-help effort, thereby ending the community’s agonising years of being without electricity. The successful execution of this project could be the template to galvanise other communities across the country to complement efforts at bringing development to the grassroots. CHINAKA OKORO reports.

    For years, not a few residents of Onugotu Egbelu Community in Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Southeast Nigeria, including its Diaspora sons and daughters, would rather stay away from their homeland than bear the embarrassing inconvenience of joining their kith and kin in the community without electricity supply.

    However, in the midst of the frustrating situation, residents of the community, which, according to them, has never benefited from any form of social infrastructure from the Imo State Government since its existence, never lost hope.

    Instead, members of the community rose to the challenge by rallying round their progressive sons and daughters, at home and abroad, in a concerted self-help effort to end the age-long darkness foisted on them by the lack of electricity supply from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

    The Community spent over N25 million on acquiring, installing, and activating a 500KVA electricity transformer. Their efforts paid off handsomely when His Royal Majesty, Eze Godwin Ehirim Nwaebo, the Duru Imo 11 of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, inaugurated the transformer on Tuesday, December 31, last year.

    In inaugurating the power transformer, a ceremony that threw the community into joy and jubilation, the traditional ruler was joined by the President-General of Onugotu Egbelu, Mr Matthew Onyedinachi Anyanwu and Rev. Fr. Perpetus Uwabunkeonye Igwe.

    Others present at the ceremony include High Chief William Ejimonyeabala, High Chief Henry Akujor and High Chief William Nnodim Amaku, who is the Chairman of the Electricity Taskforce. EEDC officials were also on hand to energise the transformer installed close to the late Evangelist Vitalis Ahanonu’s residence near Afor Egbelu Market Square.

    Nestled between hills, rivers and grasslands off an asphalted but dilapidated road to Owerri, the Imo State capital, the Onugotu Egbelu Community, is an agrarian community in Southeast Nigeria.

    The serene town hosts the Egbelu Community School, which is one of the foremost educational institutions in the Owerri Division, St Thomas Moore Catholic Church, and the Palace of the traditional ruler of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, Eze Godwin Ehirim Nwaebo, the Duru Imo 11. But the community has long been screaming blue murder over alleged lack of government presence, especially in the area of infrastructural development.

    However, the perceived neglect by the government in the provision of infrastructure is not peculiar to Onugotu Egbelu Community; it cuts across several rural communities in the country, as the government at all levels allegedly shirk their responsibilities to democratise access to basic necessities of life, prompting, in some cases, agitations by some deprived communities.

    Indeed, the responsibility of providing amenities for the social and economic well-being of citizens, including those at the grassroots, falls squarely on the government’s shoulders. Still, most rural dwellers are mostly left out due to leadership failure.

    However, for the people of Onugotu Egbelu Community, complaints and agitations to draw the attention of the government, especially the sub-national governments (i.e. state and local government) are beginning to sound hollow in the ears of the authorities.

    It was, therefore, against this backdrop that the Egbelu Community decided to take their fate into their own hands by embarking on various self-help infrastructural projects, particularly rural electrification, to bring their standard of living at par with their counterparts in the urban centres.

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    They started out by constituting a Committee, sometime last year, to oversee the procurement of a 500KVA transformer. Its aim was to end more than a decade without electricity and ultimately, spur socio-economic activities by putting youths in and around the community into productive economic engagements.

    Apart from undertaking the over N25 million electrification project to put members of the community into one economic activity or the other and spur development, the Onugotu Egbelu Community has also embarked on rehabilitation of dilapidated schools, hospitals and primary healthcare centres.

    The community seems to have spoken with one voice namely, ‘together we can,’ and that depending on the government for infrastructural development of their community is no longer an option hence, all the social amenities in the community are provided through self-help efforts.

    A prominent member of the community, Chief (Sir) Japhet Duru, told The Nation that: “Onugotu Egbelu had, in times past, largely depended on self-help efforts to bring development to the people. The most recent ones include, but not limited to the maintenance of major and access roads even to the Opara Otagu River to access drinking water and farming within Okata Egbelu; building of Egbelu Community Primary School between 1954 and 1956.”

    He said the community rebuilt and modernised the same school after it was burned down by Ogoni refugees who camped there during the Biafra/Nigeria War between 1967 and 1970, and also procured and erected high and low tension concrete poles from Nkwo Amaimo to various enclaves in Egbelu.

    On the importance of electricity to the development of any country or society, Sir Duru averred: “Electricity is a critical factor in economic development and growth, even as it is a key factor in the production of goods and services. Electricity is considered a lifeline for innovation, which is a source of economic growth.

    “Electricity consumption is a sign of a society’s high economic status, and can improve the people’s standard of living. A stable electricity supply can result in rapid investment by members of a community.

    “The economic implications of electricity include improvement in economic productivity, social and economic development of rural areas, and better standard of living. An increase in the standard of living is associated with increased use of electricity.”

    The Chairman of the Transformer Acquisition Committee, Comrade Louis Osuji, told The Nation that “the restoration of electricity to the Onugotu Egbelu Community after several years of darkness was a task that members of his Committee took as a challenge.

    “We worked tirelessly to ensure that we met the target of providing electricity for the people in December last year. That made the celebration of last year’s Christmas and the New Year remarkable events in the community,” Comrade Osuji said, thanking members of the community for the opportunity given him and his Committee to serve.

    Comrade Osuji, however, called on members of the community to ensure that the transformer is protected to enable it serve the purpose for which it was acquired and installed. He also enjoined the people to ensure prompt payment of electricity bills to prevent the EEDC from disconnecting the community.

    The Transformer Acquisition Committee, which Comrade Osuji chairs, was constituted by Mr. Anyanwu, who was the Acting President-General of Onugotu Egbelu Community. He has, however, been elected as substantive President-General.

    Reeling off some of the needs of his community, Anyanwu noted that road infrastructure is crucial for the progress of the community.

    “The Ama-Egbelu Road, which is a gateway to Mbano and Mbaise, including the one linking the community with Ugiri-Ike and Umuri communities should be constructed to make evacuation of farm produce easy.

    “We plead with the government to provide pipe borne water for the community since the Opara Otagu River, which is the only source of water available to the community, is drying up. This will help in preventing the danger of the people contracting communicable diseases,” he told The Nation, pointing out that as President-General, the focus of his development plans for the community remains attracting development projects to the town.

    Continuing, he said: “Our administration will mount solar-powered light from our boundaries with Umuololo Obodo Amaimo to Ihitte-Ubi in Mbaise. This will enhance security in the area. We will also build lock up shops at Orie Egbelu to enable the people to embark on business transactions.

    “Again, we will endeavour to grade our roads to make them motorable for easy movement of our people. Security of lives and property is also essential for any communal development. We will ensure that the community’s security architecture is reorganised and fortified for effectiveness and efficiency.”

    On his part, Rev. Fr Igwe praised the community for not waiting on the government to provide all it needs, adding that: “We do not have options. Any community in Imo State that neglects self will rot away. Lack of electricity in any community retards development. I pray that our people will hold unto this spirit of oneness and keep building on it. If we do, the sky will be our limit.”

  • Community plans big for smart village campaign

    Community plans big for smart village campaign

    Orile Kemta Community Development Association in Odeda area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, is planning big for activities aimed at boosting the development of the community.

    The association, supported by Oluga Kingdom Development Association, has concluded plans to embark on face-lifting projects to bring the people close to civilisation.

    President of the association, Special Apostle Elijah Oluga, said plans to hold the event on December 14 had been concluded.

    Secretary, David Kusimo, was emphatic about the plans, saying three projects would be inaugurated later this month.

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    He said the initiative was tagged: ‘The Beginning of a New Dawn’, adding that ‘’there are plans to fast track the components of the project this month.’’

    Kusimo added: “On December 14, we are going to launch three projects. They are health centre, public toilet and a borehole. These will just be the beginning, with many other things we have to do later.

    “We still intend to erect a tennis court, polo pitch and a fitness club. We will also have information technology centre, electricity centre, internet centre, good roads, empowerment support for women and youths, hospital, agro tourism and a resort centre.”  

  • Community leaders risk jail term for illegal devt levy-Delta Govt

    Community leaders risk jail term for illegal devt levy-Delta Govt

    The Delta State Government says a two-year jail term awaits anyone caught collecting development levies or any form of fees from public or private land developers in the state.

    Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Director-General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, gave the warning in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Asaba.

    He said the state law, which criminalised the collection of any form of development levies or fees at construction sites, either by members of community development committee, association or community leaders remained in force.

    He said there was the need for community leaders and residents to obey the subsisting law cited as the “Public and Private Properties Protection Law, 2018.”

    He said that several complaints of exploitations received by the Bureau was a pointer to the fact that some community leaders and their associations terrorise private property developers in the state.

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    He recalled that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori presided over the passage of the bill when he was Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

    He said the bill was subsequently signed into Law in 2018 by the immediate past governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

    According to Oghenesivbe, the communities use brute force and coercive strategies to collect all kinds of levies and fees ranging from N200,000 to over N1,000,000 depending on the location and size of building structure.

    He said those who willfully, deliberately and unknowingly violate the law shall be prosecuted, and such individual or group of persons risks two years or five years jail term upon conviction.

    He also said that Governor Oborevwori, in an interview with BBC correspondent in 2023, clearly stated that collection of any form of levy in Delta had been outlawed.

    “The governor said that no individual, community leader or traditional institution is permitted to collect development levies or fees from land developers, either public or private sector.

    Oghenesivbe assured that the governor would continue to work round the clock to provide mega infrastructure across the three senatorial districts, attracting local and foreign investors.

  • Community protests six-year blackout, bulk billing

    Community protests six-year blackout, bulk billing

    The Ukpor Community, the headquarters of Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra, on Friday, embarked on a protest over more than six years of power outage in the town.

    According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the protesters, who trooped out to the office of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in the area in their numbers, chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards with varying inscriptions.

    Some of the inscriptions read: ‘EEDC give us prepared metres,’ ‘Small scale businesses in Ukpor have all closed,’ ‘EEDC help our students, give them light to read at night,’ and ‘No to EEDC darkness in Ukpor,’ among others.

    The people charged the EEDC to return their transformers, which they allegedly took away for refurbishment.

    The Chairman of Ukpor Electricity Consumers Committee, Mr. Nkwadochukwu Onwughalu, accused the EEDC of deliberately blacklisting the community for over six years.

    He said that EEDC disconnected the community from the industrial line and took away five transformers from the community and later returned two.

    Onwughalu also accused EEDC of bulk billing electricity consumers in Ukpor, vandalism of their transformers.

    “The administration of Willie Obiano intervened in the power crisis in Ukpor and put us in the industrial line but immediately he left office, EEDC disconnected us.

    “We have five transformers that got bad, EEDC claimed they were taking them away to refurbish.

    “They only returned two and took the remaining three and installed in another community, leaving us in darkness.

    Another protester, Mr. Valentine Ifechigha, said that it was unacceptable that the community would be paying for services they did not enjoy.

    Ifechigha, who is the leader, Ukpor Zone 3, said that all they were asking for was the return of the transformers taken away from the community.

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    “Return the community to the 33kVA line, which was installed in 2017, and issue prepaid metres to individual consumers, among other things.”

    He said that they would no longer pay electricity bills since they were not getting supply.

    Mr. Pius Onyeanusi, who was into sachet water production in the area, said he had shut down his factory as a result of the prolonged power outage.

    Onyeanusi said, “I had 25 workers but they have stopped work because we are no longer producing.”

    The EEDC Business District Manager, Evaristus Obeta, who received the protesters, said he would escalate their grievances to the company’s management.

    When contacted by newsmen for further comments on the issues raised by the protesters, especially the alleged removal of their transformers, he declined.

  • Community leader for burial

    Community leader for burial

    Community leader, Mrs  Abigail Folasade Osunro has passed on.

    She was 95 years old.

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    Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Moses Osunro said, the burial rites in honour of the late Madam Osunro will commence September 13, 2024,  with a wake- keep at No 16 Idi Ogun Street Ilase Ijesha, Osun State and interred the following day, September 14 at St. Paul Anglican Church, Ilase Ijesha, Osun State.

    She is survived by children, and many grandchildren.

  • Oyo lawmaker commissions community development projects

    Oyo lawmaker commissions community development projects

    Lawmaker representing Egbeda/Ona Ara constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Alabi has commissioned several key projects across various communities in Ibadan.

    According to him, they were aimed at enhancing infrastructure and improving the quality of life for his constituents.

    Some the commissioned projects include: Installation of Solar Street Lights at Adekola Community, Iyana-Agbala, Ward 10; Installation of Solar Street Lights at Iyana-Church – Iyalode Community, Ward 7; Renovation of 2 Blocks of 9 Classrooms with Solar Light Installation at Urban Day Grammar School, Olaogun, Old Ife Road, Ward 11.

    Recognising the importance of education in community development, Hon. Alabi also ensured the renovation of two blocks of nine classrooms at Urban Day Grammar School.

    The renovation includes the installation of solar lights, ensuring that the school environment is conducive to learning, regardless of power supply challenges.

    Speaking at the commissioning ceremonies, Hon. Alabi emphasised the importance of these projects in uplifting the standard of living in the affected communities.

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    He noted that: “These projects are part of our broader commitment to ensuring that every community within our constituency enjoys the benefits of sustainable development.

    “We are focused on addressing the needs of our people, from education to infrastructure, to create a thriving and safe environment for all.”

    In their separate reactions, the residents of these communities expressed their gratitude, noting the positive impact these projects will have on their daily lives.

    One of the residents said: “We are grateful to Hon. Akin Alabi. The solar street lights will deter criminal activities, improve road safety, and enhance the overall aesthetics of the communities, while the school renovation will provide a more comfortable learning space for students.”

  • Community to Senator: don’t interfere in probe of killings

    Community to Senator: don’t interfere in probe of killings

    The Ogbeozoma community in Delta State has asked Senator Ned Nwoko to refrain from interfering in the investigation of killings over a land dispute between it and Akpoma.

    In a letter to the lawmaker through its lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the Ogbeozoma community said Nwoko’s claim to have intervened in the dispute was misleading as the case was in court.

    Ejiofor said there were two subsisting cases before the Delta State High Court over the land in dispute.

    In the first case (HCI/23/2021), the parties are Victor Nwokobia and two others (for themselves and as representing members of Ogbeozoma Community of Okpanam) against Agba Arinze and two others  (for themselves and as representing members of Akpoma Quarters of Iselle-Azagba) before Iselle-Uku Judicial Division, Onicha-Ugbo, Delta State.

    In the second case, suit HCI/6/2024, the parties are Ekwe Ogidi Integrated Resources Ltd against Fred Ajuduah and five others, also pending before the same court. 

    Ejiofor wrote: “In May 2024, our client’s community was invaded at the wee hours of the night by deadly thugs…

    “During this unprovoked bloody attack on our client’s peaceful community, four able-bodied young men were gruesomely murdered by the invading assailants. 

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    “Today, the corpses of these young men are still deposited in the mortuary while the Police investigation is expeditiously going on. They have not been buried to date.

    “While investigations into the bloody attack on our client’s peaceful community which resulted in the murder of these innocent citizens were going on; a publication dated 9th July 2024 in the “POINTER” Newspapers, was attributed to your office, to which our client had since published a rejoinder to the apparent falsehood conveyed through the insidious publication. 

    “Our client’s rejoinder further requested your distinguished office to refrain from misleading the general public…

    “Our client was taken aback by the publication under reference. In as much as our client may carefully wish to avoid interpreting the said publication as a clear ploy to derail the Police investigation or an act of manifest shielding of an offender, it is their respectful request that you should not be involved in a conspiracy capable of interfering with legitimate police investigations.

    “Our client reiterates their firm belief in the rule of law and confidence in the state’s authority to arrive at a just resolution of issues in dispute, otherwise, the court will proceed with the hearing of the cases. 

    “Investigation by the Police on the gruesome murders of four young men, the brutal shooting of our client’s youth leader in the person of Mr. Chinedu Ofuani, an indigene of Ogbeozoma, and the fatal shooting of a Police Sergent should be allowed to proceed uninterrupted, as the offences being investigated border on heinous crimes of capital punishment.

    “It is against the backdrop of the foregoing serious situation, that we most respectfully urge you, Sir, to refrain from further engaging in misleading publications capable of portraying your esteemed office in a bad light.”

  • ‘Why DPP dropped charges against community chief’

    ‘Why DPP dropped charges against community chief’

    Lagos Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr Babajide Martins has said his office issued fresh legal advice for the withdrawal of criminal charges against Chief Moruf Owonla, a.k.a. Kaka based on new facts after a review.

    Owonla was initially the complainant in a case of land grabbing against Alhaji Hassan Alli.

    The DPP later filed charges of criminal trespass, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of trust against Owonla before the Lagos High Court.

    Owonla sought a review, claiming he was being unjustly prosecuted by the police.

    The DPP wrote the Assistant Inspector-General of Police on May 21 advising that the matter be discontinued after fresh evidence showed that Owonla had a valid right of claim to the disputed land he was being accused of trespassing.

    Part of the legal advice reads: “In the interest of justice, the whole case was reviewed along with the fresh evidence from the High Court of Lagos State and Surveyor-General of Lagos State made available to this Office.

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    “In the end, it was found that the dispute between the complainant and the second defendant arose from land ownership which started in 1992 between Chief Ekundayo and Mr. Ogunbiyi & Ors in Suit No ID/1722/92 where judgment was delivered on 2nd May, 2008 and Chief Elkundayo was adjudged the owner of the land in dispute.

    “On May 2, 2008, the Deputy Sheriff levied execution of the said judgment on the land, including the building at No. 34 Fungeson Osagie Street, Ayobo in favour of the defendant’s vendor and principal, Chief Ekundayo, as shown by the inscription in the photographs of the building and the confirmation letter of the Deputy Chief Registrar of the High Court dated May 9, 2024.

    “There is no evidence that the judgment in Suit No. LD/1722/92 and the execution levied on the parcel of land in 2008 has been set aside.

    “The implication of this is that the subsequent occupation or possession of the land by the suspect turned complainant (Hassan Alli) was unlawful and a criminal contempt punishable under the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

    “From the foregoing, the only legal conclusion is that the defendant has a valid right of claim on the land by virtue of which judgment and execution of the same have not been set aside.

    “Therefore, the defendants have no case to answer for any alleged occupation of the land at any time after the judgment and execution.”

    Alli had alleged bias by the DPP and accused the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) of influencing the legal advice.

    But, Martins insisted that the decision to withdraw the charges against Owonla was arrived at solely by his office without Pedro’s influence.

    The DPP said: “My office receives applications for review of cases regularly and we examine each application thoroughly because we are not infallible.

    “When we realise that an error has been made at our end because of misrepresentation or insufficient evidence we take appropriate measures to correct same and when on the contrary, we disregard the application.

    “In this instant case, Chief Owonla requested a review of his case and after a thorough review and verification from the court and the state surveyor-general’s office, which confirmed that the land falls outside Alhaji Alli’s vendors’ land – ‘Soremekun family’.

    “We found that there was indeed a miscarriage of justice flowing from misrepresentation of facts by Alhaji Alli.

    “I personally issued the advice for the discontinuance of the case in court.

    “Since the dispute arose from a land dispute, we attempted to engage the parties in our Restorative Justice programme and invited them for a meeting.

    “Both parties attended the meeting and we had fruitful deliberations and further scheduled another meeting.

    “My office was, however, shocked when Alhaji Alli informed us that he was no longer interested in the meeting and that he would rather pursue his case in court.

    “I must also state categorically that the A-G did not influence my legal advice.

    “It was solely the decision of my office and it was in the interest of justice.”

  • Soldiers killing: No one left in community, says governor

    Soldiers killing: No one left in community, says governor

    Rep: villagers fled into the bush

    Oborevwori briefs Tinubu

    Senate, House probe attack

    There is no one left in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State where Army officers and men were killed, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said yesterday.

    Describing the incident as strange, he said he was unable to reach any of the community leaders.

    The governor said he received an update from the military, and that the the situation was under control.

    The member representing the community in the House of Representatives, Francis Waive, told his colleagues at the Green Chamber yesterday that his people were hiding in the bush.

    Oborevwori spoke with reporters at the State House, Abuja, after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on developments.

    The Army put the number of those killed at 17, including four officers.

    The officers are Lt. Col. A.H Ali, Maj. Safa, Maj. D.E Obi, and Captain U. Zakari.

    The soldiers are Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Yahaya Danbaba, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporals Bulus Haruna, Sole Opeyemi, Bello Anas, Haman Peter and Ibrahim Abdullahi.

    The rest are Privates Alhaji Isah, Clement Francis, Abubakar Ali, Ibrahim Adamu and Adamu Ibrahim.

    The officers and soldiers were on a peace mission when those believed to be Okuama youths ambushed and murdered them on Thursday.

    More outrage greeted the dastardly act yesterday.

    The Senate, House of Representatives, prominent Nigerians and groups called for a thorough investigation.

    They want the perpetrators brought to justice.

    The Senate, which observed a minute’s silence in honour of the slain officers and men, mandated its committees on the Army, Defence, Air Force and Navy to investigate the killings.

    Immediate past Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, called for an independent investigative panel to unearth the true nature of the incident.

    Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri warned against drawing hasty conclusions on the killings or politicising the situation.

    The Urhobo Traditional Rulers and the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) called for an independent truth commission on the killings and the underlying causes.

    The Forum of Delta State Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) called for a special panel to probe the incident.

    The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) urged the community leaders to expose those behind the killings.

    Oborevwori said while his government has met with the military, it has not been able to meet with the community leaders because the place has been deserted.

    He added: “First and foremost, the community has been deserted.

    “So, the issue of whether we’ve been able to see the community leaders, no.

    “We’ve only gotten full briefing from the Army and we’re on it because this week the traditional council is going to meet and discuss.

    “I’m going to invite stakeholders. We’re on top of it.”

    The governor said a security meeting was held on Monday with the heads of security agencies in attendance.

    “We’re on the same page to fish out the real culprits because innocent people will not suffer for it.

    “They have assured us that no innocent person will be victimised.”

    Oborevwori said peace and security were key priorities of his administration.

    According to him, he had worked with other stakeholders from Okuama and Okoloba to address the age-long rivalry between them.

    The governor said: “Since last year, we’ve been enjoying peace. We commend all the security agencies, but an unfortunate thing happened last week. People who don’t know the issues are talking.

    “The two communities have been having issues for years. On February 7, they were invited by the state government.

    “The two communities – the members representing the two local governments, the council chairmen and the leaders of those communities – were invited.

    “They agreed to work together and signed a peace accord.

    “This unfortunate incident is very sad because Delta is governed by the tenets of the rule of law and decency.

    “I promised Deltans that I’d be the governor of all and we’ve been enjoying peace.

    “One of my M.O.R.E. Agenda is that we’ll enhance peace and security, and that’s what we’ve been doing.

    “What is happening now is something that we did not bargain for, but we want to assure everybody that there’ll be no more attacks on the villages.

    “Those who are culpable will be brought to book, but the innocent citizens will not be attacked.”

    He said the families of those killed will not be abandoned.

    “The people that have been killed, the officers and soldiers – we must see how we can find succour for their families and give them a befitting burial,” Oborevwori said.

    Senate launches probe

    The Senate mandated its committees on Army, Defence, Air Force and Navy to investigate the killings.

    It urged the committees to liaise with the military authorities and agencies already investigating the incident.

    The Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the slain officers.

    It called for recruitment and training of more police personnel to relieve the military of policing duties.

    The resolutions followed a point of order raised by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC – Katsina Central) during plenary.

    The upper chamber urged the Federal Government to ensure that those “responsible for the heinous crime were identified, apprehended and brought to face the full consequences of their action through a fair and transparent legal process.”

    Yar’adua, who is chairman, Senate Committee on the Army, described the killings as “a serious threat to national security and stability of the nation.”

    He added: “The tragic incident underscores the urgent need for justice and accountability without resorting to retribution.”

    Senator Ede Dafinone (APC-Delta Central) who seconded the motion, condoled with the military command and the families of the slain soldiers.

    Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said what happened was despicable.

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    “It is inhuman and it is something that cannot be accepted,” he said.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio cautioned against speculating on who was behind the killings until the investigation is concluded.

    He said: “I do not believe that these people (the killers) are from Niger Delta. We respect men and women in uniform.

    “Let there be a thorough investigation to know whether these people are mercenaries from outside Niger Delta who came to commit this crime because I don’t think these people are Niger Deltans.

    “We are not at war to lose such a number of personnel. No community will go to the extent of doing this kind of thing. I don’t think they are from Niger Delta.

    “So, I think the first point is that we should first establish the culprits who committed this crime. We must take this seriously.

    “We condemn this dastardly act. It portends danger for the entire society. Every single culprit involved must be brought out to face the full wrath of the law.

    “This is not acceptable in any sane society in the world.”

    Former Senator President Senator Ahmad Lawan said the military needed support at all times.

    Lawan, who chairs the Committee on Defence, called for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace and order in the area.

    Reps to investigate murder of soldiers in Delta Community

    The House of Representatives called for a thorough investigation, saying the perpetrators and their collaborators must be brought to book.

    The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos).

    Benson, who heads the House Committee on Defence, noted that the fallen soldiers were on a peaceful and mediatory mission.

    “The perpetrators of this heinous act did not only stop at killing these military personnel but also went ahead to sacrilegiously debase their remains,” he said.

    Francis Waive (APC, Delta) who represents the Federal constituency where the killing occurred, said those responsible must be fished out and brought to book.

    Waive, however, pleaded with the military to observe international protocol and halt the burning of the community so that innocent persons taking refuge in the bush could return home.

    He said: “My people are currently displaced, and there is nobody in the community presently.

    “Many people in the community are currently taking refuge in the bush.

    “It is my belief that the innocent ones should not be made to suffer.

    “I believe that efforts should be intensified to fish out those responsible for this act.

    “I also want to appeal to the people from both sides of the divide to give peace a chance.”

    Urhobo monarchs, UPU demands truth commission

    The Executive Council of Urhobo Traditional Rulers (Ukoko r’Ivie r’Urhobo) and the Executive Council of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide urged the Delta government to set up an independent truth commission on the killings.

    The call was contained in a communique signed by the Chairman, Ovie of Uvwie kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso, and the President General of UPU, Chief Ese Gam Owe after a joint meeting in Effurun.

    They urged the state government to provide a permanent solution to the crisis that resulted in the killings.

    The leaders commiserated with the families of the dead officers/soldiers who were killed in the “avoidable/unfortunate incident”.

    “We call on the government of Delta State to set up an independent truth commission to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the Okuama/Okoloba crisis and or causes of the frequent disagreements between the Urhobo and the Ijaw communities/neighbours on the Forcados River for a permanent solution,” they said.

    Diri: don’t play politics with incident

    Diri warned against drawing hasty conclusions on the killings.

    He faulted comments attributed to former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    The ex-governor was quoted as saying that the last Bayelsa governorship election featured “a lot of disheartening state sponsorship of gunmen” and that the Okuama killings are “the result of that act of desperation”.

    Diri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said comments on the killings should rather be restrained at this time.

    The statement said: “The military authorities should be allowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the sordid occurrence in Okuama.

    “Comments should be restrained at this time while efforts are on to unravel the perpetrators.

    “Introducing politics into the Okuama killing is insensitive just as it is condemnable and akin to dancing on their graves.

    “For those who know, this is like the pot calling the kettle black.”

    Forum urges restraint

    The Forum of Delta State Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) condoled with the Army and the families of slain soldiers.

    The Coordinator, Okezi Odugala, in a statement, called for a thorough investigation by a special panel.

    He regretted that the land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities had snowballed into a very tragic situation.

    Odugala called on the security authorities to go after the culprits.

    “Let local and international human rights protocols be respected in addressing this very sad development for the sanctity of human lives,’’ he said.

    MURIC to community leaders: expose killers

    MURIC urged the community leaders to expose those behind the killings.

    Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said in a statement: “This unprovoked attack is unjustifiable by any parameter and we strongly condemn it. It is cowardly, criminal, barbaric and unpatriotic.

    “The fact that there was no prior confrontation or act of aggression on the part of the soldiers before the attack makes the killings premeditated, inhuman and heartless…

    “MURIC advises community leaders in Okuama to expose those behind the heinous crime.

    “We also advise the suspects to turn themselves in with immediate effect to preserve the good name of the community.”