Delta Peace Building Council condemns Okuama killings, calls for end to army siege on communities

By Ovasa Ogaga,

The Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council (DSA&PBC) has unequivocally condemned the recent violence in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the State, which resulted in the tragic loss of 17 Nigerian Army officers and soldiers.

The group stated this during its meeting on Thursday, held at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, the Council, led by its Chairman, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, expressed profound condolences to the Nigerian Army authority, the Presidency, the families of the deceased officers and soldiers, and to the Government of Delta State for the unnecessary loss of lives.

In a resolution signed by Prof Sam Oyovbaire, the DSA&PBC reaffirmed its commitment to peace-building and conflict resolution. It commended Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for his timely response to the tragic incident.

The Council empathized strongly with the people of Okuama and other affected communities in Delta and Bayelsa states, acknowledging the suffering and losses they have endured.

The Council also urged relevant authorities to apprehend the masterminds behind the heinous crime and ensure they are brought to justice swiftly. It called for unhindered access to the affected communities to facilitate the safe return of residents who fled their homes and to enable independent observations, investigations, and the provision of humanitarian assistance for peaceful livelihoods.

The DSA&PBC emphasized the importance of dismantling the siege on the communities to facilitate the safe flow of movement and the return of displaced residents, as well as to enable the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid.

The leadership of Delta Peace Building Council reiterated its commitment to promoting peace, stability, and the well-being of communities affected by violence, calling for collective efforts to address the root causes of conflict and to foster reconciliation and healing.

In the resolution signed by Prof Sam Oyovbaire, the DSA & PBC said: “As an institution with excellent credentials of advocacy, commitment and activism for the promotion, sustenance and advancement of peace building and conflict resolution, Council re-affirms its dedication to the course and quick process of return to peace and stable livelihood in Okuama and in all other communities afflicted by this unfortunate development.

“Council empathised very strongly with the people of Okuama and all our other communities in Delta and Balyesa states the unfortunate and horrible experiences of suffering and losses.”

“The perpetrators of the criminally bestial killing of the Army officers and soldiers must be apprehended and be duly prosecuted. There must be no hiding locations for these criminals.

“In the meantime, Council calls upon the relevant authorities especially the Nigerian Army and the Presidency to open up all access to the affected communities for uninhibited and safe flow of movement and return by those who fled their homesteads for fear of further afflictions.

“The siege to the communities should be dismantled so as to also facilitate independent observations, investigations and provision of humanitarian assistance to the needy dwellers for peaceful livelihood.”