2 months ago
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The lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone, has called on the Federal and Delta State Governments to, without further delay, commence the process of rebuilding and resettling the displaced indigenes of the devastated Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area in their ancestral home.
This is as he stated that civilians arrested in connection to the killings of soldiers in the community “must be respected and not subjected to any form of abuse.”
He also appealed to international donor agencies to come to the aid of the troubled Okuama people, noting that the situation at Okuama is an international humanitarian crisis that needs global efforts to rebuild and resettle the people.
The Delta Central lawmaker made the call on Thursday while donating food items worth millions of Naira to the people of Okuama currently at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp at Ewu-Urhobo community in the locality.
The items presented included two live cows, 100 cartons of Indomie noodles, 20 cartons of Soya oil and four bags of Garri, among others.
Dafinone, accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Adelabu Bodjor and other members of the All Progressives Congress, equally called on the authorities of the Nigerian Army to follow democratic principles in dealings with Okuama leaders reportedly arrested earlier this week.
The lawmaker stated that “the rights of the civilians arrested must be respected and they should not be subjected to any form of abuse; rather, they should be brought to civil court to answer any allegations against them.”
He vowed not to rest on his oars until Okuama was rebuilt and the indigenes were returned to their ancestral homes.
Dafinone said, “Since my last visit, my office has continued to reach out to the Federal Government and international agencies, to see what help can be provided.
“Aids to those at the camp and rebuilding of Okuama are the more significant matters that need to be brought to the attention not of Delta Government alone, but Nigerians and the global community as a whole.”
The Chairman of the Ewu-Okuama IDP Camp Management Committee, Mr Abraham Ogbodo, while receiving the items, commended Dafinone “for standing with the people of Okuama in their trying time.”
Ogbodo noted with delight that Dafinone has been at the forefront in trying to resolve the Okuama crisis and also called on well-meaning individuals to support the ongoing efforts in rebuilding and resettling Okuama people to their ancestral homes.
“Senator, we can’t thank you enough that you are not just coming here for the first time; you have been involved in the Okuama matter,” he stated.
Recall that soldiers purportedly on a peace mission were reportedly killed near Okuama on March 14, 2024, prompting the military to lay siege to the community.
Meanwhile, the military withdrew its men on Tuesday after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori promised displaced Okuama indigenes a safe return to their homes.
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