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    BLOODBATH: DOPF Condoles Okuama, Calls for Transparency, Accountability in the Wake of Tragic Losses

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    DOPF

    The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) extends its heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Army and Okuama Community, following the gruesome and devastating loss of lives in recent tragic and unfortunate incidents.

    The heinous killing of 17 military personnel and the subsequent collateral damages which has consumed numerous civilians in a frenzy of reprisal attacks, deeply saddens and diminishes us all as humans.

    As we seek swift justice for the gallant fallen heroes, we equally emphasize the importance of upholding rules of engagement and established judicial procedures, especially as defined in Democratic systems.

    With Nigeria not in a state of war or widespread civil unrest, it is imperative that operations prioritize citizen rights and safety.

    We urge immediate dialogue between government authorities and the military to facilitate access to Okuama Community for humanitarian assessment and aid distribution.

    Additionally, a thorough investigation into the remote and attendant causes of the Okuama conflict, as already directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must necessarily include alleged cases of extra-judicial killings during military operations, which will not only be crucial to uphold justice and maintain public trust, but will hopefully also serve as a watershed reference in addressing subsequent brewing conflicts of similar symptomatic indices across the country.

    Our thoughts are with the military and Okuama Community during this difficult time. Let us unite in our commitment to integrity, accountability, and respect for human rights for the betterment of our nation.

    Sincerely,

    Signed:

    *Emmanuel Ochonogor Enebeli, Anipr -Chairman*
    Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF

    *Shedrack Onitsha, Anipr -Secretary*
    Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF)

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    Delta Land Dispute; Group Dares Okpamam Indigenes To Appear At Force CID Area 10, Abuja. A group, South-South Professional & Transparency Initiatives (SSPTI), has challenged indigenes of Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government area to visit Nigeria Police Force CID, Area 10 Abuja, to submit relevant documents relating to its ownership claim of the disputed land with Issele-Azagba people in Aniocha North Council area of Delta state. The group who expressed concern that the Okpanam Indigenes who had been the aggressors since the land dispute started about 3years ago have not deem it fit to visit the Force CID Area 10 Abuja to tender necessary documents to prove its ownership claim since the matter was transferred to Abuja, described their failure to do so as irresponsible and an act of cowardice. It would be recalled that following an alleged bias of some senior police officers at the Delta state Police Command, Asaba, in handling the matter, some displeased stakeholders in the case had to petition the Force Headquarters and the matter was subsequently transferred to the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun’s office. It was gathered that based on the violence and killings recorded over the disputed land, including the two policemen murdered 3years ago and three youths killed early this year, IGP Egbetokun, personally directed the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG CID), Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, to investigate the matter and bring to justice those responsible for the killings of his men and the youths. Reacting to the deliberate efforts by the Okpanam indigenes to frustrate the process of investigations by falling to appear before DIG Alabi at the Force CID Area 10 Abuja, SSPTI in a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Ugochukwu Alozie, yesterday, noted that its obvious that the Okpanam indigenes do not have any document to prove their ownership case on the disputed land. According to the statement; “As a follow up to our earlier statement where we made it loud and clear that the Okpanam indigenes who had been the aggressor to the Issele-Azagba people of Aniocha North, over the land in question, do not have any document to prove their ownership, we have also discovered efforts by the same people to frustrate the ongoing investigations by not showing up at the Force CID, Area 10 Abuja. “We have carried out our independent investigations at the Police Headquarters, and find out that none of the key actors in Okpanam community laying claim to the disputed land have turned up at the place to present documents to back their claim so as to enable the investigating team led by DIG Alabi to carry out the mandate handed over to it by IGP Egbetokun”. “While we find it difficult to understand why none Okpanam indigenes had appeared before the investigating panel in Abuja, we are also concerned how a kingdom that is laying claim to a disputed land cannot present documents to prove its ownership case beyond all reasonable doubts”. “We are therefore using this medium to call on the Okpanam community indigenes to be bold enough and come before the investigating panel and tender the documents relating to their ownership claim of the disputed land area so as to enable the team conclude of the assignment handed to it by the IGP Egbetokun”. “In a situation where they continue to evade appearing before the investigating panel, we want to urge the police to declare wanted the major actors both within and outside their community, as well as some of the senior police officers who had aided them to unleash series of terror that had claimed lives and bring them to justice”, it stated. End.

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