Executive Assistant on Communications to Delta State Governor, Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was and still is very much pained over the killing of sixteen patriotic soldiers on a peacekeeping mission in Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, describing the unfortunate incident as unwarranted and callous.
Oghenesivbe, while speaking during a live radio program monitored on Tuesday in Asaba, noted that for several years, Delta State has been very peaceful due largely to the good governance strides of past and present administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, pointing out that since assumption of office on May 29, 2023, Governor Oborevwori, has been working round the clock to upscale socioeconomic and infrastructure development which substantially enhanced peace and Security in the state.
He assured that the governor and the state government would continue to do the needful to ensure peaceful coexistence among various ethnic nationalities in the state while urging the military high command to temper justice with mercy by making sure that innocent people in the community and its environ are not made to suffer for the atrocities of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
Oghenesivbe debunked the report of an online newspaper alleging that the state government or the governor got hints of the impending incident in Okuama community, but ignored it, saying that Governor Oborevwori prioritizes peace-building and security under his MORE agenda, and as such, cannot and will never pay deaf ears to the issue of insecurity in any part of the state.
He assured that enhanced peace and Security which is one of the focal points in the MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori would be implemented to fruition, pointing out that the unfortunate killing of sixteen peacekeeping soldiers in Okuama community serves as an eye opener that would be factored into the intelligence gathering strategies in the state security architecture, going forward.
On the issue of Hausa/Fulani Keke/Okada Ridders protests in some streets in the state capital of Asaba, Oghenesivbe who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation Bureau, DSOB, said the state government team led by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, in collaboration with security agencies are doing the needful to resolve the misunderstanding between the parties involved while assuring Deltans and the general public that Delta shall continue to be peaceful for socioeconomic activities, tourism, investments and for investors.
“The governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is very sad about the Okuama community incident which claimed the lives of sixteen peacekeeping soldiers. It was unwarranted, callous and devastating.
“Since assumption of office on May 29, 2023, governor Oborevwori has been working round the clock to spread development to the three senatorial districts, and Deltans are happy with his giant strides in good governance. The Okuama ugly incident came as a rude shock.
“The governor is pained, and very unhappy about the unwarranted killings of our men in uniform who daily lay their lives to protect the territorial boundaries of our country, ensuring security of lives and properties. These fallen heroes can never be forgotten in the history books of our nation.
“Governor Oborevwori is working behind the scenes and round the clock to ensure that normalcy is restored to Okuama community and across the state, due to the devastating effects of the unpleasant incident. He’s working with the military high command and the presidency to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“While we sympathize with the families of the falling heroes and the armed forces in general, we are also appealing to the Chief of Defence Staff and shall continue to appeal to the military high command and the JTF Commander to ensure that innocent citizens in Okuama community and environ are not punished for the crime committed by the fleeing culprits.
“Governor Oborevwori will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that justice is served, and the needful is done to restore normalcy, sustain peace and peaceful coexistence in all communities in the state,” Oghenesivbe assured.
