By Jimitota Onoyume

WARRI—A prominent advocacy group in Delta State, Voice of Warri Kingdom Women Initiative, VWWI,  has decried the sad state of insecurity in oil-rich Ugborodo (Excravos), a community in  Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, urging the Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to take decisive steps to secure lives and property in the area.

President of the group, Mrs. Vivian Mene, told  Vanguard that several weeks after a young man, Mr. Emiko Onuwaje, lost his life in Ogidigben during a chaotic atmosphere,  peace has evaded the entire Ugborodo communities.

She recalled that a few days after the death of the late Onuwaje, some persons allegedly invaded Ogidigben, a part of Ugborodo and set a house belonging to a Chief of Warri Kingdom, his car and other valuables in the compound ablaze.

She alleged that those behind the arson attack had placed the entire Ugborodo community under siege.

She said the development had caused many residents to flee the area for safety,  pleading that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of the state should take steps to restore law and order in the hitherto peaceful community .

She said: “We, the Voice of Warri Kingdom Women Initiative are appealing to the federal and Delta State governments, the  military, police and other security agencies to urgently come to secure lives and property in Ogidiben, Akpakpa, Madangho, Ajudayibo, and Ode-Ugborodo communities of Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta state.

“With adequate security presence, the youth, women and elderly, who fled because of the recent crisis, could begin to return home. We don’t want war anymore, we want peace to enable our people to return. The federal and state governments must help us with security to protect lives and properties in these communities.

“Those beating the drums of war in Ugborodo should be called to order. Ugborodo wants lasting peace.”

 Our governor, we have been begging for days now that we don’t want war in  Ode Ugborodo and the other communities that make up Ugborodo. Our governor, we are begging you as women of the Warri Kingdom, we don’t need war in Ugborodo.  We don’t need bloodbath in Ugborodo.”

Speaking on the recent protest by some members of the community against alleged marginalisation of the area by Chevron on matters of employment and empowerment, Mrs. Mene said all negotiations to be initiated by Chevron towards resolving the issues raised should be at the palace of the Olu of Warri.

Ugborodo widely known as Excravos is a major host community to Chevron Nigeria Limited.