-Blank NEWS Online NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE:
Oleh kingdom women in their hundreds, on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 protested over the delay for justice on the gruesome killing of 12 indigenes hired for farm work at Ada farmland on 16th of October 2020, by yet to be identified perpetrators and called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police, Delta State for quick justice, at Oleh, Isoko South local government area of Delta State.
Economic activities were brought to a halt in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, as women of the community marched round major streets of the town, demanding justice in the killing of 12 indigenes of the community.
The protesters with black attires displayed placards and leaves with various inscription as, “Justice delayed is Justice Denied”, We need nothing but Justice”, “Hasten Justice for Oleh 12″, ” The Government must not play politics with this matter”, “Our Son’s and Daughter’s must not die like that” and ” We don’t want war, we want Justice”, among others.
The women chanted songs of grievances as they moved to Isoko South council secretariat, the palace of the Odio-Ologbo of the kingdom, HRM Anthony Ovrawah Omogha l, the Oleh divisional police headquarters and terminated at the Oleh roundabout axis of the Ughelli-Asaba expressway.
The women decried the state government’s delay in handling the matter, and called on the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, State Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police to fish out and bring the perpetrators of the killings to book without further delay.
Speaking to newsmen, the women leader, Mrs Juliana Itewo said “Our husbands, children, mothers, innocent souls were killed on 16 October, 2020 while in search of their daily bread in the farm and since the attack, government has not done or said anything about it”.
“Since the incident, we have not been able to go to our farms. Hunger is killing our people”. adding that, “we are calling on government to come out and fish out the killers.”
On his part, Odio-Ologbo of Oleh kingdom, HRM Anthony Ovrawah Omogha l, commended the women for the peaceful protest. He urged the people of the community to remain calm, saying “be assured that God will fight for us.” noting that Oleh people don’t want war but peace.
The President General of the community, Chief Believe Alakri while commending the women for the peaceful protest said, the sticking of feathers to the ground at the scene of the incident reveal that allegation on herdsmen involvement was false.
He also called on the government and the police to carry out a thorough investigation and bring those behind the killings to book.
While appealing for calm, the Divisional Police Officer of Oleh divisional police headquarters, C.S.P Muhammad Na-Allah addressed the protesters and assured them that the police was on top of the matter, saying “nobody is happy that people were killed.”
He appealed for calm, stressing that the families of the bereaved and entire Community is secured “we are here for you and if anybody threatened you, call me or come to my office”, he said.
The police boss assured that all the perpetrators of the heinous crime will be exposed.
