26th July 2024, NewsOrient
News, Law And Society
By Ferdinand Okor, Editor-At-Large

The crisis rocking Ogbeozoma community in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State has taken a dramatic twist with the reported attack by criminals which led to the injuring of security operatives.

The incident took place in the early hours of Monday July 22.

Several calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages sent to the Spokesperson of Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, for response were not replied.

A statement issued on Thursday by the community obtained by journalists called on the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately intervene and ensure that investigation into the heinous crimes was not compromised in any way.

The statement signed by Diokpa Egwuagu Joseph Aninye, Diokpa Isi of Okpanam/Ogbe-Ozoma, Ikejiani 1 Okpanam, Chief Felix Okafor, on behalf of Ogbeozoma Quarters demanded thorough investigation, asking that the culprits be charged to court where prima facie case is established.

The statement reads in part, “The peaceful community of Ogbeozoma, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State was at the wee hours of 22nd day of July, 2024, invaded by deadly criminal gangs who were heavily armed to the teeth with all forms of prohibited firearms …

“During this bloody attack on the peaceful community of Ogbeozoma, security agents on duty were not spared as policemen on duty were brutally shot with live ammunitions, while some civilians were equally brutally assaulted and properties worth billions of naira completely destroyed with earth moving equipment the assailants came along with for swift execution of their deadly and nefarious mission.

“However, luck ran out of these criminals when they were overpowered by superior powers of the well trained policemen on duty, who succeeded in disarming and arresting a number of these criminal gang members, including all the vehicles and earth moving equipment used in the said deadly operation, as can be seen from the attached pictures.

“Those arrested are currently providing useful information to the Police Headquarters, Asaba Delta State, while two policemen who were fatally wounded during this deadly attack are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital…

“This will make it the two consecutive occasions the peaceful community of Ogbeozoma was brutally attacked by … criminal gangs. Their penultimate attack at an ungodly hours of the night resulted in the death of four security agents whose bodies are still being held in the morgue while police is progressing with investigation of the case, before this latest bloody attack that nearly claimed the lives of two gallant police officers.

“This should be a convenient time the Nigeria Police Force should take a bold step and direct unbiased/thorough investigation into the criminal activities … within the Asaba metropolis …

“We are by this SOS, calling on the Inspector General of Police to direct for a thorough investigation into these heinous crimes …

“The hour has come for the Police High Command to investigate …

“It is the position of the Ogbeozoma community that Issele-Azagba people, were given land wherein they are resident today by Okpanam people (Ogbeozoma and Amachai). This fact is settled by the judgment of the High Court of Justice, Asaba Judicial Division delivered on the 28th day of June, 2000, by His Lordship Hon. Justice M. Umukoro in Suit No: A/12/86: GILBERT IGWEONWU (for himself and on behalf of Amachai family of Okpanam) Vs. OKAFOR NWANENE & 4 ORS (for themselves and on behalf of members of Ogbe-Utu Community of Issele-Azagba).

“The Akpoma Quarters of Issele-Azagba who are also the beneficiaries of the said judgment were given a land abutting the land belonging to Ogbeozoma community by Ogbeozoma quarters of Okpanam where they live and farm as their customary tenants.

“Ogbeozoma community is today living and occupying their ancestral land which has been clearly demarcated by the aforesaid judgement …

“We once again call on the Executive Governor of Delta State and the Inspector-General of Police to immediately intervene to ensure that investigation into these heinous crimes is not compromised in any way; we want this matter to be thoroughly investigated and culprits charged to court where prima facie case is established,” the community said.

~ NewsOrient