Council Chairman Clarifies Military Activity in Okpare-Olomu

The Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, has assured residents that the military presence in Okpare-Olomu over the weekend was not an invasion, contrary to media reports. This clarification follows increased tensions across various communities in the local government.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Dr Avweromre explained that the soldiers were part of routine community-to-community monitoring patrols within the Ughelli South region. He stated that the military’s presence was solely to ensure peace and security and was not linked to any hostile actions or invasions.

Dr Avweromre further explained that the military had been deployed to Okpare-Olomu to enforce a directive from the local government to postpone a community conference originally scheduled for December 26, 2024. He said the postponement was necessary to maintain peace and prevent further unrest in the community. The council’s letter requesting the postponement was also sent to various security agencies, including the police and the 181 Amphibious Battalion in Agbor, Delta State.

Tensions in Okpare-Olomu were said to have escalated due to an ongoing land dispute, with Andrew Okpogbodu, the community’s youth leader, revealing that a confrontation had occurred when President-General Okiemute Otoka allegedly mobilized local youths to attack and seize a police officer’s rifle. Okpogbodu criticized Otoka’s actions, accusing him of trying to undermine the security presence and tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army.

“Soldiers were called to restore order and recover the stolen rifle, which was returned to the police,” Okpogbodu said. He also noted that Otoka had ignored the local government’s request to delay the community conference, proceeding with plans to hold it despite the security concerns.

Otoka, however, denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the community’s crisis stemmed from disagreements over the illegal sale of land by some elders. He insisted that the community’s annual conference, which had been postponed for several years, was vital for resolving grievances and should not be delayed.