The Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) has called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to, with immediate effect, put an end to military occupation and desecration of Okuama in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Recall that Okuama, an Urhobo creek, is heavily under the occupation of the Nigerian military following the brutal killing of 17 soldiers and officers said to be on a peace mission on March 14, 2024, by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
In a letter addressed to President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori, which was obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, President and secretary of UHS,
Dr. Aruegodore Oyiborhoro and Engr. Onoawarie Edevbie made seven-point demands, viz.
“An immediate end to all military operations in the area and the return of the armed forces personnel to their barracks, with the Police put in charge of assuring public order, as required by the Laws and the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The provision of adequate shelters to house all displaced persons whose homes were destroyed, sanitary facilities included.
“The provision of medical facilities to cater to the health needs of the inhabitants.
“The provision of food items, clean drinking water, and clothing is sufficient to meet the needs of the displaced population.
“The construction of school facilities to attend to the educational needs of the children of the area.
“We are informed by press reports that, on behalf of the Republic, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a host of benefits for the surviving members of the families of the fallen soldiers, including paid housing, educational scholarships for their children, and monetary awards. Because the soldiers came to their demise while on active duty in the service of the country, we understand and accept the solicitude of the government towards the surviving members of their families, even as we question the purpose, the propriety, and the legitimacy of the mission on which they, unfortunately, lost their lives. Sadly, as of this writing, the speed with which the government has manifested its concern for the survivors of the deceased soldiers has not been demonstrated, in equal measure, towards the survivors of the deceased victims of the Okuama tragedy—persons who, the Urhobo Historical Society submits, are no less deserving of the solicitude of the Republic. Payments in the form of restitution and consequential and collateral damages to all who have suffered losses, including monetary compensation to those survivors who lost members of their families, sufficient to match the support and assistance provided to the families of the departed soldiers, must, in equity, be extended to all the families of the deceased victims of the army’s destruction of Okuama.
“Payments to the community to compensate for the loss of public facilities, in order that she might, at a minimum, be made whole, must also be made.”
The USA-based group said the federal and state governments should “attend to these demands with haste, not only because the social contract between the two and the citizens of Nigeria and Delta State, the dispossessed and distressed inhabitants of Okuama included, whom both governments have sworn to serve and protect, requires it, but because it is right and proper that both governments should do so.”
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