Panic as security forces take over Ugborodo, others

THE people of Ode-Ugborodo in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State are currently panic-stricken over the deployment of security forces to the oil-rich, but underdeveloped Itsekiri enclave.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that a combined team of assorted security personnel took over the area on Saturday and Sunday to flush out oil thieves, armed youths, sea pirates and other criminals laying siege to the area.

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The operation was said to have started on Saturday from Madangho and Ajudiabo axis to Ogidigben where the security personnel were allegedly resisted by armed youths.

The confrontation, it was gathered, claimed the life of a yet-to-be-identified unidentified youth suspected to be a sea pirate.

The soldiers were said to have extended their operation to the Ode-Ugborodo axis where the alleged head of the illegal bunker and his gang were overpowered by the security forces who eventually took over the community.

Vice-Chairman of Ugborodo Community Trust (UCT), Mr Isaac Botosan, while addressing newsmen on the operation, said the people welcomed the operation to rid the community of criminals and mercenaries imported into the community.

He appealed to the Federal Government to keep the military men on the ground until the entire Ugborodo becomes safe for habitation and genuine business.

“The military men should be stationed at Ugborodo to restore sanity until further notice. The head of the oil thieves, Mr Omadeli and his gang has already fled.

“The Whole of Ugborodo is now free of the miscreants and their nuisance value. Most of these youths are hired hoodlums from other community outside Ugborodo.

“In fact, the one that was killed in the shootout is said to be from Ilaje axis. They were brought in to cause maximum insecurity in Ugborodo community through their illegal business and other social vices.

“I want the military men to remain at Ugborodo until total peace and sanity is restored”, Botosan stated.

“Some youths were said to have attacked the boat conveying the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom to Ugborodo on Saturday evening injuring some persons until they were overpowered by the security escort team that paved way for the easy landing of the chief,” Botosan disclosed.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Mr Muhammad Mustafa, has enjoined the citizens and residents of Aruton, Ode-Ugborodo and other neighbouring communities to be calm over the deployment of security operatives in the area.

Mustafa, in a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Aniamaka, gave the statement in response to an intelligence report that youths in the areas were planning to protest the presence of security operatives and gunboats in their communities.

The CP noted that the deployment of security operatives in the areas was a joint operation by the police, the military, and Department of State Security Services (DSS) and others to rid the area of hoodlums who engage in various nefarious activities including militancy, illegal oil bunkering and oil pipeline vandalism.

He urged the youths, citizens and residents of the communities to be law abiding and not to panic over the security operation.

The CP also called on them to cooperate and avail the security operatives with useful information, adding “efforts are being intensified to enthrone the reign of peace and safety in the communities and the entire state.”

CP Mustapha, however, warned hoodlums, particularly oil bunkerers, kidnappers, rapists, burglars and murderers to steer clear of Ugborodo communities and the state as a whole or else be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

It will be recalled that a faction of the Ugborodo youths at Escravos has declared Ugborodo as an autonomous kingdom outside the domain and authority of the Olu of Warri – a declaration described as ignoble and sacrilegious by elders and leaders of Itsekiri.