By Austin Ogwuda
A high-powered Investigative Team set up by the Defence Headquarters DHQ Abuja to unravel the Okuama killings has arrived Delta State, Nigeria.
Receiving the Chairman and members of the Board of Enquiry from the Defence Headquarters on courtesy visit to Government House Annexe Warri on Friday the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori narrated the frantic efforts his government made to nip it in the bud.
His words, “I am very happy for this meeting taking place here today (Friday) in Warri. Most people who spoke about the issue did so out of ignorance because they lacked the true knowledge of the facts of what happened. Setting up this Board of Enquiry is a good one.
“In my M-O-R-E Agenda, we said we are going to ensure peace and security, and for the first time in a long while, we celebrated Christmas without any hitches and I must thank security agencies in the state for a job well done.
“In Delta State, there are two bodies we don’t play with; the Advisory and Peace Building Council and the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution- because they are doing a lot to ensure enduring peace in the State.
“I told the Secretary to State Government to invite the Okuama/Okoloba people. So, l made it mandatory that the Chairmen of Ughelli South and Bomadi Local Government Councils to be in attendance, the members of the State House of Assembly who are representing the constituencies should also be in attendance and the Presidents- General of the communities should be in attendance.
“That meeting was held on the 7th of February and they signed a peace accord. So, we were not expecting anything negative when the Military went there for a Peace Mission.
“In Delta State, we don’t encourage crisis. So, we want to assure you that which ever information you people want, we will give it to you and we will also come with our Position Paper to submit to you people before you leave.
“That will also guide you on the role that we have played as a state because if we don’t come with this position paper, you will not know the role that the state has played”, stated the governor.
Earlier, Chairman of the Board of Enquiry, Air Vice Marshal David Ajayi told the governor that “We are here as a fact- finding mission and not to apportion blame. We are here to gather facts from security agencies, community leaders and community dwellers.
“This Report will also help to ensure healthy communication that will enhance civil-military relations and ensure that economic activities thrive again in the affected communities.”
He called on the Governor to assist the Board in its probe assignment to ensure that relevant stakeholders are invited to the give account of what led to the crisis.
It was however not immediately gathered for how long the Military probe team will remain in Delta State.