…the deployment was confirmed in a statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau.
Warri, Nigeria — The iNews Times reports that the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, has deployed troops to restore and maintain peace in the feuding Ugborodo and Ogidigbe coastal communities of Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State.
The deployment was confirmed in a statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, and made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the Brigade had noted a series of allegations and counter-allegations surrounding the crisis in the affected communities, describing them as actions driven by sinister motives aimed at prolonging the unrest.
Captain Bawa-Rijau warned all parties involved to desist from actions capable of further disrupting peace, stressing that any breakdown of law and order would not be tolerated.
“Accordingly, troops have been deployed and the situation has been brought under control effectively,” the statement read.
Findings revealed that the crisis erupted over the weekend following the killing of a community member, Emiko Onuwaje, who was reportedly attacked along a road in Ogidigbe, an incident that sparked outrage and heightened tension across the Ugborodo axis.
Hours after the killing, the residence of Captain John Deja Okpeyor was allegedly set ablaze by irate youths. Okpeyor had earlier the same day been installed as a chief of the Warri Kingdom, further inflaming tensions.
The killing and subsequent arson were said to have occurred amid a youth leadership tussle in Ogidigbe, which reportedly led to the mobilisation of youths to confront perceived rivals within the community.
In response, security presence has been reinforced across parts of Ugborodo and Ogidigbe to prevent further escalation and ensure public safety.
The Army assured residents that troops deployed to the area would carry out their duties professionally and in strict compliance with the rules of engagement, while respecting the fundamental human rights of citizens.
It added that the deployment would remain in place until peace and stability are fully restored, reiterating its commitment to the protection of lives and property.
The Army also cautioned against attempts to draw troops into communal disputes, stressing that the ultimate objective is a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the 63 Brigade/Sector 1 Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General M. A. Shonibare, has called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
He urged the public to continue providing credible and actionable intelligence on the activities of individuals fueling the crisis, assuring that normalcy would soon return to Warri and its environs.
