Women, Peace & Security
Some Itsekiri women on Wednesday stormed the Delta Government House annex, Warri, demanding explanations on the fracas in Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area.
Rita Ogbebor, who led the women, urged the state governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, to tell the people the causes of the recent unrest in the Ugborodo community.
Ms. Ogbebor said that the women were worried about the various reports in the media that the community had been turned into a war zone.
"Since Monday, I have been receiving calls all over the world about the crisis in Ugborodo. Those who are dying are our sons and husbands, the children are becoming orphans and the women widows. With the intelligence reports available to you, you must be able to know what the problems are, so we are asking you to tell us sincerely the causes of the problem," she said.
Mrs. Ogbebor also suggested the establishment of a police station in Ugborodo to maintain law and order in the community.
Responding, Mr. Uduaghan said that there was a leadership tussle over who chaired the Ugborodo Community Trust in 2013.
"The two parties involved in the leadership tussle, David Tonwe and Thomas Ereyitomi, have been summoned by the National Security Adviser to Abuja on Tuesday," he said.
Mr. Uduaghan said that the disagreement was about which group would look after the $16 billion (N2.5 trillion) Federal Government Gas City project in the community.
"There are people who do not want the project to succeed but no one is bigger than the government. My interest is to ensure peace reigns in Ugborodo. It is not just an Ugborodo project but a national project. When the project is completed, it would boost economic activities in the community and Delta in general," he said.
Mr. Uduaghan said that government had approved the establishment of a naval base in Ugborodo to ensure adequate security of life and property in the community.