… Emphasizes need for tight security as residents returns to community
Executive Assistant on Communications to Delta State Governor, and Head of Delta State Orientation Bureau, Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s passion for Okuama community is legendary, and would continue to do the needful until normal life and economic activities is fully restored.
He gave the assurance on Friday night while speaking as a guest of Plus TV Africa political platform via DSTV Channel 408, saying that the Okuama incident ought not to have reared its ugly head in the first place, because the lingering crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities was resolved by the State Government in February, wherein the parties signed peace accord.
Oghenesivbe said military withdrawal from Okuama community is commendable on the side of the Nigerian Army, and that governor Oborevwori is working round the clock to ensure that returnees are assisted by the State government to rebuild their homes and settle down for active commercial activities.
The EA Communications to governor Oborevwori emphasized the need for relevant security agencies in the state to provide adequate security, so as to encourage affected innocent people to return home without fear of reprisal attacks, while commending the state governor for his unwavering commitment resulting in military withdrawal from Okuama community, and subsequenly paving the way for the state committee headed by veteran Journalist, Mr Abraham Ogbodo, to spread their tentacles.
Oghenesivbe, who is also a Justice of the Peace, further asserted that the alleged prevention of the Chief Security Officer of the state from accessing the community which was tagged “scene of crime” underscores the need for state governors to be in full control of heads of security agencies in their states, while appealing to well meaning Nigerians to continue pressing for State Police and the restructuring of state and federal security architecture.
He noted that until State Governors start taking charge of security agencies within their domains without recourse to Abuja for clearance by Commissioners of a police, and other heads of security agencies, state governors will not be able to effectively tackle security challenges in their states, despite being the Chief Security Officer.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is very happy that the military withdrew from Okuama. He’s a pragmatic leader and very meticulous in is approach to conflict resolution. His actions and inactions helped a great deal. We cannot thank him enough.
“Delta State Government will stop at nothing to ensure that affected innocent people are assisted to return to Okuama community to live their normal life, as well as commence unhindered socioeconomic activities. It is their divine and constitutional rights to exist, and to coexist with neighbouring communities.
“By the time the reports of the military board of enquiry headed by AVM David Ajayi, and that of the state government is released, Nigerians and the international community will get to know the remote and immediate causes of the killings and destruction in Okuama community. It’s important that we wait patiently for the reports. Speculation is dangerous and may be unreliable.
“More importantly, State Governors should be made to fully take charge of state security architecture, such that heads of security agencies in their respective states take order, strictly implement the orders and report directly to the governors. Until this happens, governors will continue to be handicapped in tackling insecurity in their states.
“Governor Oborevwori’s approach towards Okuama Killings and destructions would have be different if he was fully in charge of all the security agencies in the state. As we have it today, all heads of security agencies in all states of the federation must always revert to their Bosses in various zonal commands and Abuja before taking actions on insecurity alerts.
“It is also very important for security agencies in Delta state to provide adequate security in Okuama community to encourage affected innocent people to return to their homes.
“At the moment, there are mounted fears of reprisal attacks. Therefore, tight security within and around Okuama community is urgently needed until such a time when peace is fully restored,” Oghenesivbe added.