‘My life in danger,’ community leader cries out

THE ‘oldest man’ and Okpako-Orere of Iwhrekan community in Ughelli South Local Council of Delta State, Chief Johnson Gbemre, has petitioned the Delta State Commissioner of Police, over an alleged threat to his life by some people from the Iwhrenkan community.

Gbemre, 91, alleged in the petition through his legal counsel, Cyril Ojiemen, Esq of Cyril Ojiemen & Co., that on April 20, 2015, some group of boys, numbering about 30 and led by Messrs Edirin (surname withheld), and the following: (surnames withheld) Monday, Charwoko, Morrison, Kingsley, British as well as Godwin invaded his residence at Jigbe quarters in Iwhrekan Community.

In the petition, Gbemre asserted that the boys, purportedly acting on the instructions of Mr. Zik (surname withheld), threatened to destroy his house, beat and kill him before the presentation and swearing-in-ceremony of the new executive members of Iwhrekan Community.

Gbemre, who appealed to the Commissioner of Police to come to his aid, noted that he and members of his household have been living in perpetual fear and that his life is currently in danger as the boys acting under instructions could strike or attack him at any time.

He further stated that Mr. Zik threatened to terrorise the community if he, (Gbemre) did not change his mind on the chairmanship position in the community, alleging that they vowed to use persons in position of high authority to set them free or influence the case in court if they are arrested.

Gbemre appealed to the Commissioner of Police to use his good office to bring the above named persons including Mr. Zik and other persons who are his agents to book and make them face the wrath of the law.

He alleged that the antecedents of the said Mr. Zik in the past, who claimed to be a social critic and activist, which he used to intimidate law- abiding members of the community and companies operating in the area, has no doubt caused a lot of disaffection in the community and is at present constituting a nuisance.