Indigenes who had fled the community told SaharaReporters on Wednesday
that the self-styled 'freedom fighters' youths operated from the home
of Ogomudia, considered one of their backers.
As the bloody crisis rocking the Uzere community, Isoko South local
government area of Delta state continues, the armed Niger Delta youths
unleashing terror on the community, are said to be allegedly operating
from the country home of a former Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of
Army Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia (retd).
Indigenes who had fled the community told SaharaReporters on Wednesday
that the self-styled 'freedom fighters' youths operated from the home
of Ogomudia, considered one of their backers.
A secondary teacher, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said,
"Over 40 percent of the armed youths are Sam Ogri boys, while others
are Gen. Ogomudia boys. David, an aide to Ferguson Onwo, the member
representing Isoko South constituency II in the state house of
Assembly is also among the armed youths unleashing the mayhem in the
community."
Some in the community fingered the President General of the Isoko
Development Union, Iduh Amadhe, as a major sponsor of the armed
conflict in a bid to bring a deposed traditional ruler, Odogri, back
into the community which the people including Ogomudia resisted.
The so-called freedom fighters were said to be controlling the
community despite alleged presence of security operatives.
Reacting to the allegation levelled against him, Ogomudia, who accused
the Isoko South local government chairman, Itiako Ikpokpo, of being
one of the community's troublemakers, said: "I am based in Lagos, the
crisis is there and is being instigated by those God has blessed. How
can anyone say I supply arms and harbour the youths in my compound?
These are stupid people who are only interested in denting the image
of people. I have risen to the top of the armed forces of this
country, and I commanded it creditably well.
"Boko Haram could have started in my time but I nailed it and some
jokers in the community now think the best thing in retirement is for
me to be supplying arms. I don't live in Uzere. I live in Lagos. I was
told no weapon was used."
He added, "If the weapons were flowing so much because Gen. Ogomudia
was privileged to be in the army and they are jealous, they can go and
die. At least nobody in that community helped me to rise to the top of
the armed forces. It was my efforts; I built my name myself. So, no
bastard is going to spoil it."
However, Ikpokpo said: "Whoever that is alleging that I am part of the
crisis in the Uzere community is irresponsible and doesn't know the
fact of the issues, or doesn't live around here. I have a duty and
responsibility to see that there is peace and order in the local
government.
"The crisis in Uzere is nothing but the traditional stool and most
recent is the oil money from NPDC been hijack by some of the leaders
both past and present. Before now there have been armed youths who
called themselves 'Freedom Fighters', who are enjoying the backing of
some powerful forces in the community and unleashing mayhem.
"In August, we suspended the community annual conference because there
was serious tension over the N20 million from NPDC meant for youths
empowerment which was tempered with by the former PG of the town and
we discovered that the suspended current PG was also part of the
tension. The sponsored 'freedom fighter' went and burnt down the
vehicle belonging to the community youths.
"We have very prominent people from Uzere, and we have called for a
peace meeting but General Ogomudia has refused to honour any of our
invitations, he is insisting that he will not sit down with his
brothers and sisters from Uzere and find a lasting peace to the whole
issue, is that right, he's supposed to be a father, leader and show
example.
"The security also had the information that the self-claimed freedom
fighters are taking refuge in Gen. Ogomudia's compound. But I hope and
pray it is not true because at his level such cannot happen. I doubt.
He can't involve in such a thing. In fact, no community has the right
to groom any terrorist group in my local government."