By Eben Enasco

In a bid to resolve the lingering Okomu agelong crisis in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, Ijaw traditional rulers have appointed Chief Sunny Ajele to head a resolution committee.

This development comes after a meeting among stakeholders including the traditional rulers cut across the riverside areas of the Ijaw communities in Ondo, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States where it was resolved that all factions should cease hostilities and work towards a peaceful resolution.

Traditional Rulers who approved the resolution move include, HRM. William Ogoba Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM. Zacheus Egbunu Pere of Arogbo Kingdom, HRM. Joel Ibane Pere Of Iduwini Kingdom, HRM. Capt, King Frank Okiakpe Pere Of Gbaraun Kingdom, HRM Stephen Oyabebefa Ebikeme Pere of Poromor Kingdom, HRM. Godwin Ogunoyibo Pere Of Olodiama, HRM. Gbebokedi Ajiroba Pere of Tubutoru, and HRM. Roman Ikiyouseigha Pere Of Furupagha.

The committee, led by Sunny Ajiele, will engage with critical stakeholders to identify the root causes of the crisis and propose solutions.

Others in the Committee’s team are;
High Chief Engr Pascal Akpofagha Secretary, High Chief Thompson Eduh treasurer, Gen Don Ben Donyegha, Amb Andrew Igiri, High Chief Julius Tonfawei and others.

The committee was tasked with critical areas to foster peace in the affected region, including
conducting a comprehensive assessment, facilitating dialogue and reconciliation between the warring factions, documenting damage and losses caused by the crisis, including property destroyed, to facilitate compensation, as well as work closely with security agencies.

The Okomu Community in Ovia Southwest Local Government Area of Edo State has been plagued by a long-standing crisis for many years, where several people have lost their lives and over 74 houses put together, razed down.

Caught in the midst of the conflict in the Ovia locality and severely impacted by the crisis, were several Ijaw villages, including Okomu, Agbede, Oweike, and Okorodudu.

The crisis led to heightened tensions and instability in the area, causing significant disruptions to the lives of the people in these village settlements.

Several attempts by leaders of Ijaw groups including the INC, to resolve the crisis were short-lived, after attaining minimal effect as both factions continue to lay claims to dominance where the immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki was alleged to have taken side with one of the factions for political reasons.

Speaking to newsmen in Benin City on Thursday, the Head of the reconciliation committee, Chief Sunday Ajele said the agelong crisis has its roots in a dispute between different factions within the community.

According to Chief Ajele, “This crisis has been lingering for over three years now without a solution. INC came but couldn’t do much. Prominent ijaw people tried but were also frustrated out. The major community is Okomu but the crisis escalated to other areas where they killed some people and burned down houses including lawrence’s boys.

“In the Agbede community they burned over 30 houses, and in the Winke community, they destroyed about 18 houses, as Okorodudu 6 Houses were burnt. Most security men are afraid to go to the waterside”. That is where a certain militant leader lawrence came from” he said.

Chief Ajele noted, “but the traditional rulers told Lawrence to surrender his tools which he never did. The military and the state’s vigilante invaded his community, destroyed his property, and killed his boy”. Lawrence managed to escape but came back with a reprisal attack on those he fingered to have let out his secrets to the government amongst his kinsmen and this eventually escalated”.

Continuing he said, “What we want to do now as a committee is to bring them together under one roof to live as one and work with security agents to do a thorough work in the waterside areas to ensure peace return to the Okomu community”.

While pointing accusing fingers at the divide-and-rule tactics used by the top government of the past administration, which some believe have exacerbated the crisis, Ajele outlined his vision for peace and reconciliation in the community, believing that dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect are key to resolving the crisis.

The appointment of Sunny Ajele as head of the resolution committee is expected to bring a new level of hope and optimism to the community, where he promised to work tirelessly to bring the warring factions together and find a lasting solution to the crisis.