By Onozure Dania

Chairman of oil-rich Benikrukru community, Gbararmatu Kingdom, in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Godwin Olufemi, has dismissed allegation that some members of Ugborodo community were being harboured in the community to shield them from arrest.

In a statement yesterday, the Benikrukru Community Chairman described the allegation as false, saying that it was another attempt by some people to cause disaffection between the people of Benikrukru and their neighbours, the Ugborodo people.

According to him, “The attention of the peace loving people of Benikrukru community has been drawn to diversionary allegation that some indigenes of Ugborodo community are taking refuge in our community. This allegation is  completely wrong, there is nothing like that. The allegation only exists in the imagination of those carrying the unfounded accusation.

“As good neighbours that the people of Benikrukru community have been known for over the years, we cannot turn away the indigenes of Ugborodo community if they are in need of our assistance. But in this case, nobody from the community approached us to seek refuge in our community and we are using this medium to tell those peddling such rumour that we are not harbouring anybody from Ugborodo community. They should look elsewhere and leave our community alone.”

He urged rumour mongers not to drag the people  of Benikrukru into their internal crisis, adding: “We in Benikrukru community have been watching the unfolding crisis in Ugborodo community. Those who are aggrieved with the people of Ugborodo community for reasons best known to them should find a way of sorting out things without dragging the people of Benikrukru community into it.”