Residents displaced by the military destruction and occupation of Okuama, the Ughelli South Local Government Area community in Delta state following March 14 killing of 17 soldiers have received some welfare charity from United States (US) based Nigerian, Micheal Egi.
The gesture by Egi, a staunch member of the Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) comes as the Nigerian Army released detained Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, HRM Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1 whose domain encompasses Okuama.
Leaders of Okuama who received the charity package on behalf of the community’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) roaming creeks in the area told our reporter that the gesture included food items toiletries and medicals.
One of the leaders who spoke to our reporter noted, “Though he is Urhobo, we didn’t see this coming from this concerned individual in Diaspora. We are indeed grateful to Egi as we have been to all, including groups who have shown compassion in these trying times we face.
“Just days ago, one of our satellite camps around Okuama, our ancestral home where we have since been sacked and occupied by military over the killing of soldiers was raided and destroyed again.
“Okuama IDPs remain in disarray even till now, our communal neighbours are afraid to harbour us due to threats from the military. Okuama needs peace, not war, at the moment.”
Speaking from his US base, the donor of the item, Egi said, “The move was not for any self-glorification but to let all men of good conscience know that the world is watching the Nigerian state and her military’s vengeful mission to wipe out Okuama.
“No one is happy that soldiers were killed but against the emanating critical issues, the killing of soldiers in Okuama is beyond the community, even by the military’s reports.
“It is untenable to declare all Okuama people guilty as charged and push to wipe them out for the sins of a few who even have no link to Okuama. Must Okuama not be turned into Odi or Zaki Biam?
“I call on men of good conscience to come to the aid of Okuama even as we ask the military to vacate their land and let the people go. For too long they have been left to run and suffer, no food, no water, no peace.”
Meanwhile, the Ewu monarch was released by the Nigerian Army to Sen Ede Dafinone who represents Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
The monarch was released after 21 days in custody after surrendering themself to the Delta State Police Command from where the military whisked him from Asaba to Abuja as one of those declared wanted for the murder of 17 soldiers on March 14 in Okuama.