By Oghenruona Tejiri
Oghara Elite Forum (OEF) has called on relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the alleged extra-judicial killings of two youths from Ijomi Community of Oghara Kingdom in Mosogar Kingdom, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The OEF made the call in a statement at the end of an extraordinary meeting in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State and e-signed by Dr. Jacob Ighere, its President-General and made available to journalists in Warri.
It would be recalled that two youths from Ijomi Community of Oghara Kingdom who were suspected to be kidnappers were allegedly whisked, away, beaten and set ablaze last Thursday in nearby Mosogar Kingdom.
The foremost socio-cultural organization in Oghara Kingdom condemned the extra-judicial killings of the duo in very strong terms.
The Forum which also serves as the voice and watchdog of Oghara Kingdom however, called for swift intervention to avoid the possible breakdown of law and order between the Oghara and nearby Mosogar Kingdoms.
The group also called on Hon. Christian Onogba, Chairman, Ethiope West Local Government Area to quickly set machinery in motion and judiciously revisit the matter to calm already frayed nerves
While suing for calm, the Forum humbly called on the royal fathers of Oghara and Mosogar Kingdoms to convene town hall meetings to calm frayed nerves.
The foremost socio-cultural organization in Oghara Kingdom noted that the manner Mosogar youths raided Ijomi Community in Oghara Kingdom, forcefully whisked the deceased suspects to Mosogar and allegedly slaughtered them extra-judiciously was condemnable.
According to Dr. Ighere, “The OEF has received the worrisome news of the misguided abduction and extra-judicial killings of some Ijomi youths who were alleged to be kidnappers by the vigilante members from Mosogar.
“While the zeal of the vigilante to rid Mosogar Kingdom of these kidnapping sprees is understandable, yet we maintain that they went too far in taking the laws into their own hands.
“Also, the resultant urge for reprisal due to frayed nerves and griefs by the Ijomi people who are still maintaining that the slaughtered victims were innocent is understandable.
“However, two wrongs cannot make things right and the best option at this stage is to exercise restraint and pursue the path of peace.”
Dr. Ighere noted that communal war could leave in its wake more losses of lives and properties, he then called on the Delta State Commissioner of Police and the special agency of the State Government vested with peace and conflict resolution to wade into the situation without delay before it snowballs into communal war.
It will be recalled also that SP Bright Edafe, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Command confirmed the extra-judicial killings to newsmen last Thursday through a WhatsApp terse message.
