Emma Amaize
3 December 2008
OBONTIE community in Delta State, yesterday, washed its hands off a threat by a coalition of an Itsekiri militant group to cause mayhem in the state over the kidnap and murder of a missionary, attached to the Soul Harvesters Ministries in Delta State by a notorious criminal, identified as Andrew and his gang.
Representatives of the community, who attended a peace meeting convened in Sapele by the chairman of Sapele local government area, Mr. Godwin Atose, with a delegation of the Delta Waterways and Security Committee (DWSC), led by Barrister P. Seimode in attendance admitted that the community sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to the state government, but, did not authorize any militant group to issue threat on their behalf.
Chairman of Obontie community, Mr. I.E. Oghavanduku Ololo, said the people were ready to return to their homeland if the government would guarantee their security from their neighbours, who kidnapped their son.
Elders and youths leaders of Ikeresan and Ugbukurusu communities who attended the parley denied that the kidnap kingpin, Andrew, and his gang members were hiding in their territories, saying they fled the towns after the dastard incident.
While commending the communities for attending the meeting, Sapele council boss, Mr. Atose said that security agents have been able to identify one Andrew and two other persons as the masterminds of the kidnap and murder of the missionary and urged the villagers to give the Police useful information on their whereabouts.
He said it was a purely criminal matter that should be dealt with as such and should not lead to a tribal conflict among the Itsekiri and Okpe communities, adding that the council was doing everything to track down the fleeing killers and reconcile the warring communities.
The DWSC delegation, comprising Barrister P. Seimode, Henry Ayanruoh and Emma Amaize told the communities that the Delta State Government was interested peaceful existence and harmonious relationship among all the communities and urged the people to furnish the security agents with information on the whereabouts of the identified criminals since everybody have agreed the offence is a criminal matter.
Seimode recalled that through information that was passed to the committee, it was able to track down two sea pirates that robbed fishermen of five outboard engine speedboats at Ogulagha area, some two weeks ago, and handed them to security agents for prosecution.
All the representatives of the communities who spoke at the meeting applauded the chairman, Mr. Atose for the prgamatic manner he has steered teh affairs of the council since he assumed office and prayed God to give him the wisdom of Solomon to resolve the lingering dispute.
Divisional Police Officer for Sapele, Superintendent Felix Uzoh said the people should assist security agents handle the situation by disclosing the whereabouts of the gang leader and his boys for prompt action.
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