By Emma Amaize
WARRI – IRRI kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State has served the Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC, a fresh 15-day ultimatum to quit the area for allegedly causing untold development and long-drawn-out crisis in the community.

The Odiologbo (traditional ruler) of the kingdom, HRM. Ovieseriba Ejenuwe II, chairman of Community Development Committee, Mr. Johnmark Odhigbo, his wife, daughter and one other unidentified indigene were recently seized by security agents in connection with the crisis.

Addressing newsmen, secretary of the Community Development Committee, CDC, Engr. Reuben Izeghe, who was flanked by the palace secretary, Chief Francis Abighe as well as Palace Chief, Odio Otobo Odhomor said: “We will not longer tolerate Agip in our community if the Federal Government refuses to intervene within 15 days.”

The people accused NAOC of maintaining a ‘sidon look’ posture after setting the people at “war” among themselves with its ‘divide and rule’ posture since it commenced operation in the area.

Vanguard, however, learnt that for many years, Irri community has been split into factions over largesse from oil companies. A number of people have been killed and maimed in the intricate battle by leaders of the community to “hijack” the largesse from the oil firm.

They decried the take into custody of the their royal father and others, lamenting, “’Our traditional ruler is nowhere to be found, our CDC chairman, wife and daughter are also missing. We don’t know their whereabouts. If the Federal Government refuses to intervene within 15 days, then Agip should quit our land or else there will be a blood bath”, they said.

The people further bemoaned the spate of insecurity in the area, saying the constant attack on them had led to death of no fewer than 30 persons.