Tension mounts over military invasion of Delta community

By Nosa Eresoyen, Asaba

There is rising apprehension over imminent unlawful and illegal invasion, massacre and occupation of Ovrer Eku Community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State by soldiers attached to Presco Plc.

The soldiers are being mobilized by the oil firm to forcefully acquire and occupy the local community in attempt to rape the community in their oil business.  As the palpable fear increases, some militant leaders were said to have begun regrouping to defend the community and other territories under military siege in the state.

Piqued by alleged nefarious military activities in Ovrer-Eku Community, members of Delta State House of Assembly at the plenary session on Tuesday wrote President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in themilitary invasion of Ovrer-Eku community.

In a letter signed by the Speaker of the House, Mr. Monday Agbuya, and member representing Ethiope East constituency, Evance Ivwurie, the lawmakers urged the President to investigate the invasion and forceful occupation of Ovrer Eku community by the Nigerian Army. “Mr. President, we urge you to carry out urgent investigation into the ugly incident of unlawful and illegal invasion, massacre and occupation of Ovrer Eku community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State by soldiers attached to Presco Plc,” the lawmakers declared in part.

The House also in a separate matter called on the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and relevant security agencies to monitor the activities of Fulani herdsmen who are said to be threatening the security of the state.

A motion on matters of urgent public importance was jointly moved by members representing Ethiope East Constituency, Evance Ivwurie, and the Minority Leader, representing Ika South Constituency, Festus Okoh, and jointly seconded by Azuka Azaka and Daniel Yingi.

In the motions, the members raised the alarm over the nefarious activities of the Fulani herdsmen in their constituencies, noting that residents of the areas, especially, housewives, live in the fear of the unknown and called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to set up a committee to look into the ugly trend.

However, on Ovrer-Eku community, the lawmakers requested President Buhari to order the investigation of the soldiers allegedly involved in the dastardly act of massacre led by one Lieutenant Oworobo and ensure they are disciplined according to military laws.

The Delta lawmakers appealed to the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshimhole, the Oba of Benin, to prevail on Presco Plc and Newcross Petroleum Limited to desist from further annexing, claiming and forcefully occupying Ovrer Eku community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State. They started with dismay that the community was renamed Iwevbo as part of Orhomwon Local Government of Edo State and the Benin Kingdom.

The lawmakers also called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to prevail on President Buhari to direct the National Boundary Commission and other relevant ministries/agencies saddled with the responsibilities of boundary adjustment in Nigeria to determine the boundaries between Edo and Delta states, especially in Ovrer Eku community renamed to Iwevbo with a view to finding a lasting solution to the perennial dispute so as to prevent further re-occurrence and breakdown of law and order.

Speaking to National Daily, Evance Ivwurie, member representing Ethiope East Constituency, said that occupants in Ovrer Eku community are native of Urhobo under Agbon Kingdom, adding that they have lived in the community over 500 years. He wondered why the Edo State Government could suddenly claim that the community belongs to Edo State due to the discovery of crude oil in the area.