Sen. Dafinone urges calm amid Okuama crisis, calls for government intervention

The senator representing Delta Central Senatoral District, Senator Ede Dafinone, has called on the dramatis personnae involved in the ongoing carnage at Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area to sheath their swords for the sake of humanity.

Dafinone also called on the state and federal government to urgently intervene to de-escalate the crisis which, according to available reports, has claimed more than 18 lives including that of soldiers.

Recall that the leadership of Okuama community had raised the alarm of an alleged invasion of their community on Thursday, March 14th, 2024 following a land dispute with the neighboring community of Okoloba in Bomadi Local Government Area which led to the death of three young men, with women and children displaced, and with many buildings razed.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, in a press statement signed by Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, stated that a commanding officer, two majors, one captain and 12 non-commissioned officers, who went on a peace mission were killed in Okuama.

Dafinone while reacting to the report on the death of the soldiers, three Okuama youths, and the burning down of properties in Okuama, described the incident as very unfortunate.

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While sympathizing with the military authority over the loss of their personnel, he called on them to observe the military rules of engagement while dealing with civilians.

He also called on the leaders and the people of Okuama to remain calm, urging the federal and state government to expedite action to arrest the ugly situation from degenerating into another humanitarian crisis.

“I want to appeal for calm by the waring factions in the unfortunate incident that occurred in Okuama Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday and Friday leading to the needless death of about 18 persons including soldiers,” said Dafinone.

“The federal government must as a matter of urgency set up a high power independent panel to investigate the remote causes of this crisis, in order to bring whoever that may be involved in the killing of Nigerian civilians and soldiers to be brought to book.

“I wish to appeal to the authority of the Nigerian army to act discreetly in this situation , that they should not allow their emotions take better part of their professional judgement by toning down their operations and observed the rules of engagement while dealing with civilians at Okuama.

“I also wish to call on our people in Okuama to shun any act of violence that could further escalate this crisis, which could have been avoided if both parties allowed reason to prevail.

“The National Emergency Management Agency, should also reach out and provide relief materials to the people of Okuama, many of whom have been rendered homeless and are now living in surrounding bushes.”