By Ambrose Ologide
Executives of Ukoko R’ Ivie R’ Urhobo ( Council of Urhobo Traditional Rulers ) have appealed to the Federal Government to allow Innocent indigenes of Okuama to return to their ancestral home.
This was contained in a press statement issued shortly after the save our souls (SOS ) visit by representatives of Ewu, Arhawarien and Okparabe kingdoms to the chairman of the Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council , HRM Dr Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso JP OON Abe 1 the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom in Effurun Uvwie Local Government Area on Tuesday 2nd April, 2024 .
The representatives of the three of the kingdoms narrated the sufferings, attacks, arson , deaths and untold hardship of innocent Indigenes on the Okuama bloody crisis.
They lamented that they could no longer sleep with their eyes closed.
They were also worried that the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom was declared wanted by the Nigerian Army and the subsequent surrendering of the traditional ruler to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State as they declared that the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom was innocent.
The Urhobo Council of traditional rulers among other things reinstated its call for the setting up an independent investigative inquiry into the immediate and remote causes of the bloody crisis as the statement maintained that it is the only way the truth about the crisis can be revealed and to also avoid future occurrence .
The statement also urged the good people of Ewu Kingdom to remain calm and law abiding and that it will ensure that innocent innocent Indigenes do not suffer unjustly.
The statement commiserate with families of the slain officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army.
The council however stated that it was deeply touched by the pains suffered by innocent Indigenes of Okuama and the neighbouring communities and commiserate with those who lost their loved ones.
The statement was jointly issued by the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom and the Ovie of Agbarha Otor Kingdom ( Chairman and Secretary of the council respectively )
The Ovie of Oghara and Idjerhe kingdoms were also present at the visit.
