Navy boss warns feuding Delta community

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, has warned feuding groups in Ugborodo Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, to keep the peace or suffer the consequences.
Ezeoba gave the warning in Abuja on Friday at a meeting with the executives of the two warring factions of the community at the Naval Headquarters.
He warned that security agencies would not allow the peace of the community, the proposed site of a multi-billion dollar gas project, to be disturbed.
He said: “For us as law enforcement agency of government, we will not allow the peace that is most desired in this country to be disturbed by any individual or a group of people.
“It is important that this is clearly understood because forthwith, anybody who disturbs the peace irrespective of whatever grievances you have, will be dealt with, with the full wrath of the law.
“No human being anywhere in the world is above the law and the law itself is very, very defined.”
Ezeoba expressed concern that the people of Ugborodo community, made up of the Itsekiri, should take up arms against one another.
“The issue in question is a family matter because all of you are from the same stock, the same kit and kin.
“It is absurd for people of the same stock to carry arms and begin to kill each other for whatever it is worth.
“Let us allow peace to reign and don’t allow your vested interest to misguide your sense of reasoning and sound judgment to cause disturbances in our communities.”
The Chief of Naval Staff said that the proposed gas project in Ugborodo, which would be the “largest gas city in Africa,” would boost economic activities, open up the community and empower the people.
He said that it would also make the area a “world renowned centre” for exploration of gas.
He added: “I want to appeal to conscience as we speak so that you understand the need to allow peace to reign.
“Besides, it is equally important for me to also advise that 2014 should be a year of peace in your community.
“If you represent the people, then it is paramount that in your assertion and in what you do, it must reflect that mandate that the people have given to you.”
Ezeoba described the crisis in Ugborodo on January 5 as “most regrettable”, but stressed that peaceful resolution of the crises was the best way to address grievances.
The meeting, which was part of efforts to bring peace to the community, was attended by Ovozuarie Macaulay, the Secretary to the Delta State Government, and Hon. Daniel Reyenieju, representing Warri Federal Constituency,
Members of the two factions who attended the meeting were Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Chief Ayiri Emami, Dr. Alex Ideh and David Tonwe as well officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.