By Harris-Okon Emmanuel Correspondent, Warri.
The crisis rocking the Ugborodo community in Warri South West council of Delta State has shown no sign of abating at least for now.
Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, Delta, Captain Musa Gemu, accused the elders of the community of not carrying out adequate sensitization with their people on the peace process.
He spoke against the backdrop of the invitation extended to a youth leader, Mike Lodge, who allegedly organized a mob to attack personnel of the Navy who went to the town to keep the peace.
According to him, the Navy personnel had arrived the coastal community on September 6 late to pave the way for the peace process and ensure the resettlement of those who were forced out from the community during the January intra communal crisis.
He disclosed that the Naval officials were well received and even accommodations were provided for them, but expressed dismay that on the September 7, they were asked to leave the community unless certain conditions were met and that in the melee, two of his men were injured because of poor visibility.
Captain Gemu, who said the Navy was impartial in the ongoing peace process, noted that elders of the warring factions were yet to inform their foot soldiers of the need to embrace peaceful resolution to the intractable intra communal logjam.
He noted that before he embarked on the operation, all the leaders of the two factions in the crisis were well informed and assurances extracted from them they would call their loyalists to order and ensured a peaceful exercise but noted that that was not to be in Aruton, which is the stronghold of Chief David Tonwe.
He pointed out that his personnel were also at Madangho, Ogidigben and other communities but singled out Aruton for being averse to the peace process.
‘’We hold Mike Lodge responsible fort organizing a mob against my men. That singular action is a betrayal of trust. But that can’t deter us in the ongoing peace process. The Navy would not enforce peace because we know that it would be disastrous. I think their leaders are not communicating with them appropriately’’, he said.
He added: “Why is it that each time we return the displaced persons, Aruton will not agree? When we met with them prior to the operation, they all agreed that everything would be fine and even David Tonwe pledged to ensure peace’’.
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