Idumuje-Ugboko: Delta CP Threatens to Use Force

Idumuje-Ugboko – The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Mr.Zanna Ibrahim has threatened that security agencies may be compelled to use force as a last resort to restore peace in troubled Idumuje-Ugboko community in Aniocha south local government area of the state if the crisis situation persists.

In a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aniamaka Andrew, Commissioner of police’s threat came against the backdrop of the ongoing crisis in the hitherto quiet community. The Police boss, who said that security agencies have so far exercised utmost restraint in the handling of the crisis because of the need to avoid any untoward repercussions, ordered that “thugs and cultists mobilized to foment trouble in the community should immediately be kept off the streets, and innocent citizens be allowed right of way and access to their lawful endeavours.”

Mr. Ibrahim, however, sued for peace by appealing to the belligerents to sheathe their swords and give room for peaceful and meaningful dialogue to take place towards the enthronement of peace and safety in the village. He also enjoined stakeholders to honour the invitation for a peace meeting, extended to them by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge Zone ‘5’ Benin scheduled to hold at the AIG’s office in Benin, on Thursday, 1st June, 2017, at 10am with a view to finding an acceptable and lasting solution to the crisis.

XCLUSIVE MAGAZINE had exclusively reported on 26 May 2017, based on reliable insider information that the “battle royale” in Idumuje-Ugboko was instigated by Prince Ned Nwoko, an alleged love child of late Obi Albert’s sister, to make it impossible for the community to hold a meeting where the new Obi Justin intends to make a formal pronouncement ostracising and banishing Ned from the community for taking him to court.

In August 2015, Prince Ned had taken Prince Justin to court on the allegation that Obi Justin had used a forged document to revoke Ned’s ownership of massive acres of land, purportedly allocated to him by late Obi Albert to build a new university. The case has been in court up until the death of late Obi Albert and accession of Obi Justin in January 2017.

So far, the fratricidal struggle has claimed one life, 10 people seriously injured and property worth millions of Naira destroyed. Despite this huge human and capital loss, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is adamant that the state government will not interfere in royal tussle.