Generations of
Harmony Shattered
For centuries, Okuoma
co-existed with their Ijaw neighbours. Intermarriage and trade were
commonplace. But this harmony fractured over a land claim by Okoloba, a
neighbouring Ijaw community.
The Warlord's
Shadow
Lurking in the
background is a chilling figure – a powerful Okoloba warlord with ties to a
prominent figure. This man, shrouded in secrecy, operates from a white mansion
– a place reeking of evil.
A Brutal Escalation
The warlord's thugs,
disguised as soldiers, attacked Okuoma youths. This triggered a cycle of
violence. When a body from Okoloba surfaced, accusations flew, and the JTF
(Joint Task Force) arrived.
Mistaken Identity
and Tragic Loss
The JTF's forceful
interrogation of Okuoma leaders sparked outrage. Mistaken for the warlord's
militia, the JTF were tragically killed by enraged youths.
A Community
Decimated
Okuoma faced a brutal
reprisal. The military descended, razing the town. Women, children, and the
elderly – innocent bystanders – perished. Now, only cries and the stench of
blood linger.
Unearthing the
Truth
The Army finally
stormed the warlord's mansion, uncovering a horrific scene – a shrine filled
with human skulls, testaments to his barbarity. The mansion, a symbol of
terror, was burned to the ground.
A Call for Justice
Okuoma lies in ruins,
a community fractured by lies and manipulation. The true perpetrators roam
free, while the innocent suffer. Nigerians, demand justice!
Share this story.
Demand accountability. Let the light shine on the darkness plaguing the Niger
Delta!
#OkuomaMassacre #EndImpunity #NigerDeltaCrisis
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS THE REAL CAUSE OF THE CRISES AT OKUOMA
COMMUNITY IN UGHELLI SOUTH L.G.A OF DELTA STATE THAT LED TO MILITARY INVASION.
Okuoma community is an Urhobo community in
Ughelli south L.G.A located along the Forcados River. It shares boundaries with
Akugbene and Okoloba communities, and both are Izon (Ijaw) speaking
communities, located in Bomadi L.G.A of Delta State. Both communities have
lived together peacefully for over 3 centuries now. Okuoma community is in
Ewu-urphie clan of the Urhobo tribe of Delta State.
Their major occupation is farming and
fishing.
There are other Urhobo communities along
the Forcados River who all share boundary with the Izon speaking communities.
They are also follows: Gbaregolor, Okuoma, Olota, Alagbabiri communities e.tc.,
all these communities are in Ughelli South L.G.A and they all share boundaries
with the Izon speaking communities. These communities have lived with the Izon
speaking communities for several centuries. They have had intermarriages, inter
trades, among themselves for some centuries. We have several families who are
from both tribes (Urhobo and Ijaw). In the olden days, for you to be crowned a
king in Izon land, you must have your maternal root from the Urhobos. I don't
know if that tradition is still in practice. I know some few Kings whose that
maternal roots are from the Urhobo tribe, e.g. HRM Oporomor Godspower of Bomadi
town (Ijaw community) in Bomadi L.G.A. He had his maternal root from Gbaregolor
community (Urhobo community) which is located along the Forcados River. His
Royal Highness, king of Akugbene community (Ijaw town) has his maternal root
from Okuoma community (Urhobo town). The king of Akugbene community influenced
some developments in Okuoma, like construction of jetty at the waterfront of
Okuoma, e.t.c. These people (Urhobos and Ijaws) are one people because they are
related by blood or marriage in one way or another. Mr. Barrister Smooth, a
famous Ijaw singer once said in his song "When you come to my house you
can't separate Ijaw man from Urhobo man because they all live together as one."
We are one people.
Back to the main issue;
Okuoma community had land dispute with
their neighboring community Okoloba over common boundary. The land dispute has
been lingering for quite a long time now. At the boundary side of Okoloba
community there is a white mansion, this mansion belongs to a warlord, a man
known to be a right-hand man to Mr. Government Tompolo.
Okoloba community have always claimed
ownership of the land on which the Okuoma community is located, they always say
the "Okuoma inhabitants are their tenants".
If you recall, I earlier said there is a
mansion at boundary of both communities, this mansion is owned by a warlord
from Okoloba (Ijaw community) this man is so influential and he owns a shrine
in this mansion where he practices human sacrifices as rituals in worshipping
his war god; Egbesu. Last month February, this man armed his boys and attacked
a commercial boat conveying some Okuoma community boys namely Igho and co.
These boys were all murdered by this warlord and he labeled them criminals. He
wrote to JTF (Joint Task Force) that they were criminals. Remember, I told you
that he is Tompolo's right-hand man He is so influential and connected that
whatsoever he tells the JTF is what they accept, because his boss Tompolo owns
Tantita Security Forces and they control the creeks. This act alone triggered
the grievance of the Okuoma community. When this warlord's gang want to carry
these crimes, they put on army camouflage so it's difficult to differentiate
genuine Army personnel from these hoodlums.
Last week, a man named Anthony Aboh from
Okoloba community went missing, his relation from Okoloba community, an
Honorable member, believed that It was the Okuoma community that kidnapped him
to retaliate for the attack which was carried out on the Okuoma community boys,
so they reported the issue to the Bomadi JTF. Just before he reported, the body
of the alleged kidnapped man was discovered floating on River Forcados at
Ayakoromor community. His hands were tied and he had been beheaded (that was
the picture displayed on Social Media with the fallen soldiers body). This
annoyed the Okoloba community so much, the Honorable and some delegates from
the Okoloba reported to JTF, which then proceeded to Okuoma community on March
14th, 2024 with some soldiers in company of the Honorable. On reaching there,
they met with the chairman and elders of the community in their town hall and
they brought up the case of the kidnapped beheaded man with the community
leaders. The chairman and elders all denied saying they know nothing of such
case, which made the soldiers ask the elders and community leaders to lie on
the floor. The Army then insisted on arresting the community leaders and that
was where the crises erupted from. The information got to the youths that fake
soldiers have come to terrorize the community again, and when they turned up
there was argument between the Army and community youths. The Army released
some gun shots, leading to a full blown war between the youths and the Army
because they believed they were fake soldiers. They were killed in error, it is
a case of mistaken identity.
The people of Okuoma where soldiers were
killed were attacked by Ijaws (Okoloba warlord) and they suffered casualties,
mind you when this warlord carried out the dastardly act they wore Army
camouflage.
Within the same week, on sighting men in
uniform again in the Okuoma community they believed they were the same set of
Ijaws warriors from Okoloba again and retaliated, killing all of them not
knowing that they were real soldiers......
My fellow Nigerians this is the real cause of the crises. March 15th, Okuoma was raided and razed down by Nigeria Army because of the death about 16 fallen soldiers, women, children, and aged men weren't spared, but funny enough the actual perpetrators have since fled the community leaving those who are either too old, too weak, too sick, too young, or too innocent to flee. Till now, there's still crying, gnashing of teeth, and blood flow around the Forcados River axis. On March 17th yesterday the Army stormed the white mansion at the border after gathering intelligence, on reaching there, they were amazed at what they discovered in the shrine at the white mansion. This mansion is situated at the River bank; they discovered fresh and dried human skulls of innocent people who were used by this warlord as sacrifices for his god (Egbesu). Angered, the Nigerian Army burned down the mansion. Some fake soldiers were also arrested in the mansion. This is the true story of what happened that has claimed so many lives including the lives of a Lt. Colonel, 2 Majors, a Captain, and 12 soldiers, all men of the Nigeria Armed Forces....
