COVID-19 Lockdown: Steer Clear Of Our Land, Urhobo Youths Tell Overzealous Security Operatives

By Daniel Dafe
The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Youthwing, Worldwide, has warned against any infringement of the rights of Urhobo indigenes in any part of Delta Central Senatorial district and across the nation by security operatives especially the army, saying that they will resist such if any indigene is victimized for any reason.
This call was made in a press statement signed by Activist Kelly Umukoro Efemena, National President, UPU Youthwing Worldwide and Comrade (Barrister) Ehaoma Harry, National Secretary, UPU Youthwing Worldwide after a tour of certain parts of the said senatorial district on day two of the lockdown of Delta State ordered by the Governor to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the state.
The youth body said: “We are aware that an Itsekiri youth was killed in Warri today by the Nigerian Army and we thus decided to call on the military to be professional in their conduct in Urhobo nation.
The statement added: “So far, we have not witnessed any brutality in Abraka, Ughelli, Sapele, Udu and Mosogar communities which we visited.
“The lockdown order by the Delta State Government started yesterday 1st April 2020. Prior to the lockdown, we received many messages from youth leaders across our Local Government Areas on the need for us to ensure overzealous security agents do not take undue advantage of the directives to start harassing our people.
“As early as 5.30am today, I led a team of human rights activist and some executive members who are indigenes of nearby communities to observe the conduct of security agents in some of our communities.
“We patrolled the entire Abraka community which I must commend the indigenes of Abraka community for being one of the most peaceful and law abiding communities. We proceeded to Eku Market where little business activities were seen but on sighting the team of security operatives they ran and the market master was invited to the police station for questioning. He was released immediately so he can go back to extend the message to the traders to shut down. Sapele, Ughelli, Mosogar, Jesse and Oghara were also very peaceful.”
Continuing, the group said: “We use this medium to sound a warning to overzealous officers to steer off Delta Central District because we would not take any abuse of human rights of any of our indigenes from anyone no matter how highly placed they might be.”
According to the press statement, the youth body has taken time to sensitize the people on the need to stay at home and respect all directives of NCDC, saying that they believe residents in Urhobo land have displayed total commitment to the directives of staying in their homes.
Furthermore, they noted that Delta is not a war zone and do not expect the military to start using force on citizens.
UPU youths said further: “It is so sad that coward military men who could not chase out armed herdsmen who invaded our community at Agadama and environs in Uwheru kingdom, became so bold overnight to confront an unarmed Itsekiri youth.
“Despite that we do not have the powers to speak for them, we are using the case of the said murder as a case of reference and warn that the military authorities should ensure overzealous officers are not sent to our area as we are peace loving people. We would not fold our hands to see any of our people being abused or killed.
“I call on Urhobo youths worldwide to remain calm and law abiding this period. We understand the hardship that comes with this directive but we must know that despite as drastic as this directive might be, it is for our own good. We should obey the order and equally report any cause of abuse to any executive.”
Continuing, they thanked the Local Government Chairperson of Ethiope East LGA, Chief (Mrs.) Faith Majemite and other council chairmen in Delta Central for making schools available for food and water sellers to help reduce the suffering of people.
Furthermore, the group commended the Abraka Divisional Police Officer, CSP Hassan Jimoh Hassan for spending his finances to mobilize some security personnel during the exercise yesterday.