By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
More facts have emerged over the hostilities between Ogwashi-Uku and Otulu communities in Aniocha South Local Government Area, Delta State which eventually culminated in the alleged attack on the convoy of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II.
Unlike earlier reports that suggested that the convoy attack was mastermind by cultists, it has been confirmed that the attack stemmed from renewed hostilities between Ogwashi-Uku and Otulu communities.
A source in Otulu, who spoke on account of anonymity, revealed that it was Otulu youths who could not bear the unwarranted sacrifices allegedly carried out by Ogwashi-Uku people in their community that confronted Ogwashi-Uku people.
According to him, “Trouble started when the people of Ogwashi-Uku stormed the community one weekend, killing one personnel, pulling down fences, making sacrifices and performing rituals in the community.”
The source said that there had been inter-communal crisis between Ogwashi-Uku and Otulu communities before the incident, adding that Ogwashi-Uku people were led by their Obi (monarch) “to carry out the sacrilegious act, using goats and other items to perform sacrifices in our community.”
According to the source, “confrontation ensued when irate Otulu youths who could not bear the unwarranted sacrifices being done in their community confronted Ogwashi-Uku people and one person was killed in the process. We have reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police.”
The people of Ogwashi-Uku had alleged that the convoy of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II, was attacked by some irate youths at Otulu satellite town of Ogwashi-Uku, smashing glasses of some vehicles in the Obi’s convoy.
The younger brother of the Obi, Prince Onyema Okonjo, who spoke with journalists on the matter said the Obi visited the satellite town to perform certain traditional rites meant to usher in peace and tranquility in Otulu as a satellite town of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.
He added that one of the irate youths was hit by a stray bullet from the gun of one of the security agents that accompanied the Obi while he was trying to disarm him.
“All entreaties to the irate youths by me and security agents to let the Obi have his right of way as he was going home after performing the rites, were rebuffed by the youths who had already set bonfire and barricaded Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo’s entourage from exiting the satellite town,” he added.
The people of Otulu had recently protested at the Government House in Asaba seeking for an autonomous status for the community.
In his reaction to the autonomous demand by the people of Otulu, the traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku community, Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo II has insisted that Otulu town remains part and parcel of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom.
The Obi, brother of Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who stated this when he led members of his Obi-In-Council and community leaders to perform certain traditional rites to usher in peace in Otulu, emphasised that the agitation by a few to carve out Otulu from Ogwashi-Uku as an autonomous community is unacceptable.
The traditional ruler who sued for peace and cooperation of residents of Otulu town, stressed that “right from the time of their forebears, Otulu has remained a satellite town of Ogwashi-Uku and will always remain so.”
Maintaining that no stranger would be allowed to take over Otulu land from Ogwashi-Uku community, the monarch urged residents of the community to always bring their complaints and differences to his palace for amicable resolution.
A statement from the palace at the early hour of Saturday claimed that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, HRM Obi Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, and his convoy had survived cultists attack during their visit to Otulu Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State where he went to offer prayers.
The Obi, brother of Director-General of World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and members of the Council of Ogwashi-uku visited Otulu Ogwashi-Uku Friday, September 17, 2021. The visit was largely successful and the Obi met members of the community, prayed with them and discussed with them about the issues.
The statement signed by Prince Greg Okwumbu, spokesman of the Obi of Ogeashi-Uku, said when the Obi was departing after the meeting, cultists and thugs imported into Otulu who were aware of the visit attacked members of the entourage who were at the rear of the convoy. The thugs also attempted to forcefully seize a gun belonging to a law enforcement agent who escorted the Obi on the visit.
“It is important to note that members of the press accompanied the Obi on the visit. Also law enforcement agents from the Office of the Area Commander and the Brigade Command in Asaba were also there at the visit and witnessed everything that happened.
“The people who sponsored the thugs are known to us and will be brought to Justice.”