The Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo(Council of Urhobo Traditional Rulers) and Urhobo Progress Union(UPU) worldwide have called on the Delta State government to set up an Independent Truth Commission to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the Okuama/Okoloba crisis and others on the Forcados Rivers with a view for a permanent solution
This is one of the seven-point demands by the EXCOs of the two bodies contained in a statement signed and read by HRM Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso, Abe 1, JP. OON, the Ovie of Kingdom and Chief Ese Gam Owe, UPU President-General at the end of a four hour meeting at the Uvwie Palace in Effurun, Delta State
After reviewing the recent crisis, the royal fathers resolved as follows
“That the Urhobo nation is highly pained by the unfortunate but avoidable bloodshed and the razing down of Okuama community in Ughelli South LGA over the weekend particularly the killing of seventeen officers/soldiers and reprisal mission of Nigerian Army occasioning arson, killing of innocent/vulnerable women and children of Okuama community
“We commiserate with the families of the dead officers/soldiers who were killed in the avoidable unfortunate incident
“We also commiserate with the families of the innocent and vulnerable people of Okuama community who have been rendered homeless, killed and/or displaced through the revenge mission of the Nigeria Army.
“We call on all parties to the impasse to sheathe their swords. Two wrongs cannot make a right. Killings and counter-killings and/or arson is not and never a solution. All parties must give peace a chance.
“We call on President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to prevail on the Nigerian Army to honour a round-table discussion that may be inaugurated by the Delta State Government to avoid future occurrence
“We call on our Ijaw Traditional Rulers to join hands with us their colleagues, Urhobo Traditional Rulers to work for sustainable peace on the Forcados Rivers particularly between the aged-long neighbours of Urhobo and Ijaw communities to achieve sustainable peace in the area
“We wish to state that the Urhobo people are peace loving people who have been living in peace with their Ijaw neighbours from time immemorial. We remain committed to sustaining the peace, despite the unfortunate incident of the recent past”
