The Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, has dismissed reports of a military invasion in the Okpare-Olomu community, clarifying that the soldiers’ presence was part of a routine patrol.
Speaking on Sunday, the chairman explained that the military activity, which occurred three days earlier, was wrongly portrayed in the media.
Tensions had escalated across several communities within Ughelli South following the heavy deployment of military personnel.
The situation revived memories of the March 14, 2024, military operation in the Okuama community, which followed the killing of 17 soldiers on a peace mission. That operation resulted in the displacement of Okuama residents, many of whom remain at the Ewu Internally Displaced Persons camp.
In August, the crisis deepened with the arrest of some community leaders over the killings, contributing to lingering concerns about military actions in the area.
In a statement from Dr. Avweromre’s office, the council clarified that soldiers were deployed to Okpare-Olomu to ensure compliance with the chairman’s directive to postpone a community conference scheduled for December 26, 2024.
The council’s letter, signed by Secretary Ewenede J.A., was addressed to the President-General of Okpare Community and copied to security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Army’s 181 Amphibious Battalion.
The presence of military and police personnel, along with the NSCDC and Vigilante Group of Nigeria, was intended to prevent unrest and ensure peace.
“It is crucial to correct the misleading reports and provide the public with the accurate sequence of events,” the statement read.
Youth leader Andrew Okpogbodu attributed the unrest to a land dispute within the community. According to him, the President-General, Okiemute Otoka, allegedly mobilized loyal youths to attack a police officer, seize his service rifle, and disrupt efforts to maintain order.
Okpogbodu stated that the military was called to restore calm, recover the stolen rifle, and assist in preventing violence. He revealed that a vigilante member was injured in the fracas and is currently receiving treatment.
“The President-General refused our pleas to postpone the conference until ongoing issues were resolved,” Okpogbodu said, describing allegations against the military as baseless attempts to tarnish their image.
In his defense, President-General Otoka argued that the crisis stems from disputes over the illegal sale of community land by some elders. He accused these elders of opposing his leadership due to his refusal to partake in such transactions.
Otoka insisted that the council’s letter was a request, not an order, and justified his decision to proceed with the long-delayed community conference.
He also alleged that efforts to prevent the meeting included obtaining an injunction from a customary court that lacked jurisdiction over community matters.
Meanwhile, traditional ruler Clement Ikolo, Urhukpe I of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, expressed gratitude to Senator Ned Nwoko for intervening to secure the release of a detained Okuama leader.
The monarch described the leader’s release as a welcome relief for the Okuama community, which has endured significant hardships since the March incident.
However, four other community leaders arrested in August—Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu, and Mr. Dennis Malaka—remain in detention, according to reports.
