By Austin Ogwuda
.… Orodje of Okpe exonerates his fellow traditional rulers over alleged selling of lands to killer herdsmen
THE Commander, 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Asaba, Brig-General Folu Shonibare on Thursday claimed that the Army did not shoot any of the protesters during the protests in Abraka, stating that they (Army) only came into the scene when it became obvious that Policemen deployed were overwhelmed.
According to Commander Shonibare who attended a high-level security stakeholders meeting at Government House, Asaba, said contrary to rumours making the rounds that nobody was shot as the Military cleared the protest peacefully, “the men (Soldiers) were very professional in discharging their duties”.
He explained that “The particular protest in Abraka went violent as it was hijacked by hoodlums who started flogging civilians along the road side, started closing down shops, forcing people to join the protest and even blocked the highway causing a very major gridlock.
“So, it was chaotic and the Military had to wade in as the Police were overwhelmed. Nobody was shot in that incident”, the Commander claimed.
He disclosed that security agencies will continue to do their best to make sure that the State is cleared of all criminals, stressing that their efforts was already yielding impressive results as over 16 civilians that were about to be kidnapped were recently rescued in the State.
…. …. Orodje of Okpe exonerates his fellow traditional rulers over alleged selling of lands to killer herdsmen
Also speaking the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Maj Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), Orhue I, who attended the meeting dismissed the allegations that traditional rulers give lands to herders and collect money from them.
His words: “This is not true. In various communities, the lands belong to either the communities or families it doesn’t belong to traditional rulers. Some bad elements in our communities take money from the helders and they will say that our kings are aware just to rubbish the traditional rulers.
“We believe that what we have done today will go a long way to ensure that security of the State state is at the top.
“We haven’t seen the presence of the Federal Forest Guards in all the local governments, so we have not been able to use the local hunters effectively. But what we know is that we have vigilante in our various communities, the only problem we have is that they have not been properly funded”, he added.
Earlier, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said “The insecurity in the State has been compounded by the influx of undesirable elements from neighbouring states especially from across the Niger.
“Very soon, we shall deploy technology to help detect and engage all these criminals undermining the peace of our dear State. I earnestly expect that our local government Council Chairmen who are the chief security officers of their local government should hold their security council meetings regularly and brief me through the commissioner for local government or brief me directly”.
The governor vowed to hold the ALGON Chairman and his executives responsible for failure of Council chairmen to hold regular security council meetings and charged council chairmen to work together with the traditional rulers in their local government areas.
“As a governor”, he went on, “I manage all the traditional rulers in the State, so if I can manage all of them, you can also manage the traditional rulers in your respective local government areas.
“Look at the rate of crime in our society today, our children are into drugs and all sorts of social vices. So you need to check what is happening around you. We will not take any form of laxity from any Chairman. By the time we use one or two persons as examples, others will sit up.
“The conventional security agents deployed are trying their best and the community vigilante are to support and complement their efforts especially because they are more familiar with our people.
“Hence, the Council Chairmen should ensure adequate funding are provided for them. If you don’t support them, they won’t work to aide the conventional security agencies.
“I expect that the relationship between the stakeholders especially the traditional rulers and the security agencies should be cordial. Any domain whose traditional ruler is not cooperating with our security agencies would not be tolerated.
“This is the reason I called you here to share ideas and suggestions on how to proffer lasting solutions to the security challenges we have in the state such as kidnapping, drug abuse, and so on”, the governor stated.
