By Goddie Ofose/Lagos
A group of Lagos-based Obomkpa youths has condemned the explosion that occurred at the weekend during a familiarization tour by Victor Ochei, the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, at the Eke Market Square in Obomkpa, Aniocha-North Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to reports of the incidence, two locally made canon contraptions which acted as a lethal improvised explosive device had been positioned under the sitting area at the meeting venue and one of them exploded under the chair which the Speaker was meant to seat on while he was still exchanging pleasantries with several persons.
While addressing the press, the youths expressed displeasure over the development, emphasizing that it was the least of what Obomkpa needs now.
On their behalf, Mr. Nwachukwu Uduje, an entrepreneur, said although fingers are pointing at various directions as possible causes, he stressed that the action was condemnable and has regressive implications for a town that has enjoyed very little in terms of basic amenities and dividends of democracy.
Citing the instance of the roads leading into and within Obomkpa, the youths recalled that while there had been massive developments in neighbouring towns on roads construction, Obomkpa is still at the mercy of bad and unusable roads. They lamented that in the struggle for change, a son of Obomkpa had lost his life in the past and nothing happened thereafter. In addition, they pointed out that if the explosion had physically affected the Speaker whom they believe has the interest of Obomkpa at heart, not only would Obomkpa had lost the chance of having his listening ears, but the relationship between Obomkpa and Onicha-Olona, a neighbouring town where the Speaker also originated, would have gone sour, adding that it is an ugly situation at a time the nation is trying to manage its terrorism challenges.
It is against all these odds that the youths condemn the explosion, stressing that such a thing should not be allowed to happen at this critical time when the town is in dire need for a turning point, while stressing that Obomkpa people are usually peace-loving and hospitable.