By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

Mr Regent Youmor, former President of Ijaw Community in Lagos, has expressed concern on security situation in Okuama, Okoloba and Akugbene communities of Delta.

Youmor expressed the concern in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos against the backdrop of the hostility that followed recent communal clash that led to the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama town in Delta.

Youmor, who is also Chairman, Bomadi Community in Lagos, therefore, pleaded with Federal and Delta government to help in sustaining peace in the communities.

“True must be told, there is no peace among these communities since the incident that led to the killing of soldiers in the area by suspected community youths recently.

“The communities have been witnessing hostility, the peace in the areas has been disrupted,” he said.

He said that the government should defend the innocent citizens who were being killed as a result of the land disputes crisis among the three communities.

He added: “Barely 24 hours after the army withdrew their troops from Okuama, there are disturbing reports of criminal activities in the axis.

“This has led to loss of lives and property within the same Okuama axis between Okoloba and Akugbene towns in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta.

“This is an urgent call on Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta to act with decisive precision to stem further acts of violence in Bomadi Local Government Area.”

According to him, the local government has enjoyed uninterrupted peace over the decades before economic settlers started coming.

He said that the primary responsibility of government “anywhere in the world is for the security and welfare of citizens.

“Enough of the senseless killings and destruction of lives and property in Ijaw land; near Okoloba community.

“Now, some persons would disguise and patrol as security persons but their activities are questionable.

“We plead that Gov. Oborevwori should take full control of the security situation to avoid breakdown of law and order.

“The Bomadi Local Government Area has been peaceful over the decades before the influx of some strangers and settlers.

NAN recalls that there have been calls from concerned Ijaw leaders to the federal and Delta governments to do more to tackle incessant communal clashes between Okuama Community and its neighbour, Okoloba, in Delta.

The leaders have maintained that clashes between the communities had been too many and lingering, calling for a permanent resolution. (NAN)

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