Autonomy: Otulu community seeks Delta govt intervention over rights infringement ~ Truth Reporters

 

Natives of Otulu-Ugo community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State on Tuesday approached the state government in peaceful demonstration to ventilate their disaffection over alleged breach of their fundamental rights.

In their hundreds, the protesters who stormed Government House in Asaba, indicted the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku community, HRM Obi Ifeachukwude Okonjo in their supplications.

Addressing the governor, the Iyase of Otulu-Ugo community, Chief Christopher Isekekpei pleaded that Otulu-Ugo be recognized as an independent community, as well as the unconditional release of their kinsmen from police custody, among other pleas.

‘’We have converged here to ventilate our disaffection and make known our unacceptability of the injustice, intimidation, harassment, enslavement and infringement on the fundamental human rights of our people through the instrumentality of the state as sponsored by HRM Obi Ifeachukwude Okonjo.

‘’We, therefore, seek the following reliefs; the recognition of Otulu-Ugo as an independent community, the recognition of the leadership of Otulu-Ugo as chosen by the Otulu-Ugo community, and total independence of Otulu-Ugo community from any external aggressors’’

He further requested the governor ‘’to order HRM Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo and his cohorts to stay off the affairs of Otulu-Ugo community’’ as well as the unconditional release of his kinsmen from police custody.

After hearing their complains, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Festus Agas, pleaded with the demonstrators to exercise restraint and not take laws into their hands.

While commending them for their orderly demonstration, the governor received their documented allegations and supplications, even as he assured them of urgent intervention.

In another development, the Ogwashi-Uku community, in a statement signed by the    Secretary of Ogwashi-Uku Obi-in-Council, Chief Zeliwe Ojeogwu, alleged that the protesters were members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and its affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN).

‘’The police should intensify their efforts to apprehend all those who have committed crimes so that they have their day in court and face justice. The Delta State Police Command should not permit Otulu to remain a hiding place for criminals who use it as a staging ground for their activities throughout Delta North Senatorial District.

‘’Members of Ogwashi-Uku are urged to continue to be law-abiding. We urge our youths who are particularly agitated by the actions and provocations of these people in Otulu not to take laws into their hands’’