.As army recovers weapons, arrest criminals in community

By Jimitota Onoyume

Chairman of the Governing Council of Ugborodo Community Trust, Mr Joseph Tenuma Olori, has appealed to the state government to urgently set up a panel of inquiry to resolve the security challenges in Ugborodo ( Excravos), in Warri south West local government area, Delta state.

This appeal came a few days after the Nigerian army recovered four AK-47 rifles and arrested two for criminal activities in the oil rich community.Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 63 Brigade, Asaba , in a press statement last Monday said the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Moronfolu Abdulmoshood Shonibare, also directed soldiers deployed to the area to sustain the peace.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Governing Council of the community, Mr Olori in an open letter to governor Sheriff Oborevwori, said the panel would uncover issues at the root of the problems .

“In view of these deeply troubling developments, we respectfully urge Your Excellency to intervene decisively in the interest of peace, justice, and the rule of law. We specifically call for the establishment of an independent Commission of inquiry to investigate the violent invasion of Ogidigben, the alleged murder and arson of December 20 and 21, 2025, respectively, the forced displacement of Ugborodo indigenes, the abuse of traditional authority “, the council said .

He further expressed fears that failure to address the state of insecurity in the area could impact negatively on the general polls next year.

“Perhaps the most disturbing dimension of the crisis is the fact that over eighty percent of the aboriginal youths of Ugborodo are currently living in exile, having been forced to flee intimidation and harassment.

“With the 2027 general elections approaching, large numbers of citizens may be unable to participate in continuous voter registration and other electoral processes, thereby effectively disenfranchising a significant segment of the population.
No democratic society should allow such a situation to persist.

“Your Excellency, the situation in Ugborodo has now reached a point where silence or inaction may no longer be interpreted by the people as neutrality, but rather as an unfortunate tolerance of a situation that daily undermines the rule of law and the fundamental rights of citizens. We are confident that the Delta State Government, under your leadership, will not allow such a dangerous precedent to stand. The eyes of the people of Ugborodo, as well as those of concerned observers across Delta State and beyond, are firmly fixed on this matter. We therefore trust that your administration will act with the urgency, fairness, and statesmanship required to restore peace, justice, and lawful governance in the Ugborodo federating communities “, the Governing Council added.