Ezekiel , Ozobo visit’s family of slain Ogbe-Ijoh youth, vows killers won’t go free
By Ndu Samuel
Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State governor on Peace Building and Security Comr. Daniel Ezekiel has vowed that killers of Taylor Agofugha who died during the communal clash between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Warri South West and Udu Local government Areas of Delta State will be fished out by security operatives handling the matter.
The SSA stated this when he and members of Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI) led by its national president, Comr. Austin Ozobo paid a condolence visit to the family of the slain Ogbe-Ijoh youth.
Speaking during the visit, the SSA said “we are here for on- the -spot assessment visit, to sympathize with the bereaved family and the entire community of what has befall the community”
Ezekiel noted that the ” state government is not happy about the ugly incident, saying ”we do not see this matter as communal conflict but want to treat it as criminal matter so that more lives will not be endangered.”
He assured the community of government intervention in the situation on ground and that the issue of the slain Taylor would be addressed in no distance time.
He further said ”the government of Delta State, led by Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa is committed to restoring peace between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities, I appeal with you not to make any retaliatory moves as such will only jeopardize the peace efforts of the state government”
He assured the family that ”those who perpetrated the killing of Taylor Agofugha will be fish out as security agents have started doing their work”
In his remarks, Ozobo noted that Taylor was until his tragic death a member of IPDI, whose death brought grief to the group, and called on security agents and governor of the state Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to fish out the culprits as that is the only ground they will believe that the crime was perpetrated by criminals.
Leaders of Ogbe- Ijoh community in their reactions expressed disappointment over Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s inability to implement earlier resolutions reached with regards to sharing the disputed parcel of land to restore lasting peace.
They lamented that it was very unfortunate that Taylor was killed in his house, saying that since the conflict started he was not sleeping his house because of the location of his house but the recent sudden peace accord made him to go back to his house which he abandoned a year ago to do some maintenance.
They threatened to go for further showdown with their suspected neighbours in no distance time if the culprits are not apprehended and handed over to the community .
Ogbe-Ijoh and their neighbouring Aladja community recently drew the dagger against each other in a renewed clash that caused breach of peace and security, leaving in its wake one casualty.
