*demand release of detained Indegines

 

By Watchmann

 

The People of Edjekota Community in Ogor Kingdom, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday debunked the news making the round that the community is having communal clash with the people of Ewu-Urhobo community in Ughelli South Local Government Area, calling on the Nigerian Police to put the record straight instead of misinforming the public.

Pastor Oghenemakpor Uyo, Chairman Edjekota Ogor Kingdom community who made this statement during a press briefing at the community townhall, also demanded for the immediate release of their sons in police custody.

He said that contrary to the news circulating everywhere, the people of Edjekota community are not at war with Ewu-Urhobo community, but rather, two families, one from Edjekota community and the other from Ewu-Urhobo community, that had a land disputes.

He however decried what he described as unlawful arrests, brutality, and senseless killing by police officers under attached to the Ughelli Area Command of the Delta State police command.

He said; “It is with profound sorrow and grave concern that I stand before you today to address the deeply troubling and unjust events that unfolded on April 7th, 2025″.

“On this day members of the Edjekota community fell victim to unlawful arrests, brutality, and senseless killing by police officers under the Ughelli Area Command, with the active support of certain individuals from Ewu community”.

Pastor Oghenemakpor who was flanked by members of and leaders of the community said in his address that, “What should have been a day of hard work and productivity for our farmers has instead become a tragic chapter in the history of our community termed “A BLACK MONDAY”.

Narrating what transpired on Monday, April 7, 2025, the community chairman disclosed that; “On that fateful day, several members of Edjekota community ventured to their farmlands to clear their farms, a task essential to our survival. Without provocation, these individuals were arrested by officers from Ughelli Area Command, acting on the instructions of a family from Ewu town.”

According to him, there was no formal invitations from the police to those arrested or the community leadership before the arrest, revealing that the matter is already before the Customary Court at Edjophe community in Ughelli South Local Government Area and queried why there should be an arrest without prior notices or invitations.

Hear him, “It is appalling to note that NO INVITATION was extended to the affected individuals to appear at the Ughelli Area Command to address the allegations against them before the police officers from the Ughelli Area Command stormed their farms to arrest them.

“Furthermore, these officers failed to notify the leadership of Edjekota Community of their activities. This blatant disregard for proper procedure raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and motivations behind the intervention of the police officers under the Ughelli Area Command.”

The community through the chairman during the press briefing accused the officers from the Ughelli Area Command led by one Inspector Robinson of being biased. He blamed the police officers for enforcing such arrests without reaching out to the leadership of the community, adding that it was the manner at which the arrest was made that triggered the peaceful protest by the youths.

“When words spread of this unlawful action, the youths of our community peacefully took to the streets of Edjekota community to protest.”

According to Pastor Oghememakpor Uyo, it was this protest that was allegedly treated with gross injustice by the police team led by one ASP Julius Robinson and one Henry Okoro, of the Vigilantes/Hunters and alleged to be an indigene of Ewu-Urhobo community who were accused of firing live bullets that killed one of the community youths, Amakashi Martins.

They called on the Delta State Police Command to immediately release those arrested and urged the Inspector General of Police to investigate the unlawful killing and arrests by the police.