By Ovie Okpare
The lingering crisis in Evwreni Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State may soon be over as leaders and traditional chiefs in the area including the founding leader of the All Progressives Congress in Delta, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor have wade into the feud.
The leaders who met under the Evwreni Crisis Resolution and Peace Committee resolved and ordered for an immediate disbandment of the vigilante group in the kingdom which has been accused of fueling the alleged killings and maiming of some residents in the community.
The disbandment of the security outfit followed a peace and reconciliatory meeting convened and held at the home of Olorogun Emerhor which was witnessed by security agents including senior police officers of the Delta State Police Command.
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A communique issued at the end of the meeting, the committee resolved that all members of the disbanded vigilante group should also be immediately be disarmed while a police post be establish in the community to arrest the unrest in the kingdom.
The communique signed by Olorogun Emerhor (Chief Convener), Hon. Samuel Mariere (Co-Convener) and Olorogun Emuobosa Ohare (Committee Secretary) also resolved that HRM Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane, the Eruvwedede III, remains the Ovie of Evwreni Kingdom.
After hours of deliberations, the peace committee further resolved that High Chief Obakowho Amraphe, Egbegbe 1, remains the Odion-Esiri of Evwreni Kingdom, while Mr. Bright Adjogbe, remains the President General of Evwreni Clan Improvement Union.
While calling for establishment of police presence in the community, the communique read, “That the Vigilante as a Security outfit for Evwreni community is to be immediately dissolved and no new vigilante outfit is to be established until further agreement or notice.
“The committee is to work with the DPO A Division, Ughelli to immediately establish/station a strong police presence in Evwreni which shall take over the Security of the community. The police to undertake the immediate disarming of the erstwhile Vigilante and all other and groups in the community. The committee shall provide the resources for the sustenance of POLICE presence.
“To immediately engage the families of individuals that lost their Ives in the crisis in other to secure their buy-in into the peace process.
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“To immediately engage youths involved in the crisis with a view to ending their animosity, return displaced youths and provide palliatives and a level of empowerment. To engage all displaced individuals to return home.
“To engage individuals whose houses and properties were burnt or damaged and to identify, enumerate and assess the destruction and damage thereto with a view to providing financial assistance toward restoration.”
The communique further stated that the peace committee also resolved to “engage all criminal complainants and oil litigants who have cases with either the police or law courts with a view to achieving out of court settlements.
“To involve renowned men of God to undertake a Christian Spiritual Revival crusade for Evwreni community. The Committee further RESOLVED to STATE the following very CLEARLY:
“That, HRM Oghenekevwe Owin Kumane, the Eruvwedede III, remains the Ovie of Evwreni Kingdom. That, High Chief Obakowho Amraphe, Egbegbe 1, remains the Odion-Esiri of Evwreni Kingdom. That, Mr. Bright Adjogbe, remains the President General of Evwreni Clan Improvement Union.
“That, the above remains the constituted ruling authorities in Evwreni Clan and the Committee is committed to work with them to resolve and return peace to Evwreni town. The Committee recognizes their individual relevance and separate roles and authorities in the Evwreni community.
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“That, the Committee shall in due course engage the community with a view to review the ECIU constitution to remove any conflict of authorities and enhance same to encouraging cooperation and coordination among the above-named authorities.”
It further appealed for calm, cessation of hostilities, intimidation and police arrest to avoid escalation of the crisis while the committee finds lasting solution for the restoration of peace in the kingdom.
Furthermore, as part of efforts to return permanent peace to the community, the committee similarly constituted several subcommittees that will undertake the above tasks aimed at bringing lasting peace to Evwreni.
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The subcommittees which included those of finance and fund raising, disarmament and spiritual revival committee were given two (2) weeks to accomplish their task and are to make their reports available to the full house in the next meeting.
The meeting was attended by Olorogun Emerhor, Hon. Samuel Mariere, Chief Simon Asite, Elder Friday Atobamrere, Chief Emmanuel Gegere, Olorogun Emuobosa Ohare, Mr Clever Owhe (King’s Rep), Prince Gideon Ukpohwo, Rev. Dr. Joseph Ighofimoni, Comrade Sunday Okpare and Mr. Peter Maison (Unenurhie PG).
