Some women from the Okoloba community in Bomadi local government area have staged a peaceful protest, calling on the federal government to intervene in the escalating violence between their community and the neighboring Okuama community in Ughelli South local government area.
News About Nigeria reports that the protest, led by Mrs. Timipakebi Goodwin, chairlady of Okoloba community, and Mrs. Mary Koibi, secretary, saw the women marching along the coastal fringe of Koloba community, carrying placards and chanting against violence and bloodshed.
In a statement addressed to security agencies, including the police, DSS, NSCDC, JTF, and the acting chairman of Bomadi local government council, Mrs. Goodwin expressed sympathy for the killing of 17 soldiers and officers of the Nigerian army who were on a peace and rescue mission to Okuama following the kidnap of their son. She also mourned the loss of life and prayed for the families of the victims.
However, she condemned the latest killing by the youths of Okuama, which occurred less than 24 hours after the exit of the troops from Okuama, resulting in the death of one person and leaving three others seriously injured. She described the killing as a clear indication that the people of Okuama can kill at the slightest provocation and that the sanctity of human life means nothing to them.
The women are demanding the relocation of the Okuama community to Ewu clan in Ughelli South Local Government Area, where according to the protesting women, they rightfully belong.
According to Mrs. Goodwin, “Resettling them among their own people in Ewu clan of Urhobo land will foster mutual trust among themselves as they are of the same ancestry and speak the same dialect.”
The women also drew attention to the recent incident where youths of Okuama community came out of the Mein-toruabubor creek, which leads to Ewu, on three speedboats, shooting sporadically in the air before proceeding to Okuama. They described this as a clear threat to the peace and security of neighboring communities.
