Delta chief killed, 16 houses burnt

Posted by admin Delta, Headlines, State News Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

THE Elema of Obi-Anyinma community in Ika South local Government Area of Delta State, Vincent Chinyere Aminomwan, was shot dead while over 16 houses were burnt following a bloody fight in the community over sharing of royalty from an oil prospecting company.

Meanwhile, the entire community has been deserted.

Also, the recurring communal crisis between Umuebu and Amai communities in Ukwuani Local Government Area, which originated since 1914 assumed an alarming dimension with several persons killed and property destroyed.

Member representing Ika South constituency, Mr. Martin Okonta and his counterpart representing Ukwuani constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr. Alphonsus Ojo, had brought separate motions under matter of urgent public importance on the floor of the House, seeking the State Government’s intervention. And the two motions were unanimously carried.

Speaking to Vanguard, Okonta who was a former Speaker of the House, said “what actually happened is that one company Pan Oceanic Oil Services was trying to clear the site give award of contract for grading of the road and were expanding the site to enable them prospect for oil.

As a result of that there was power tussle between Chief Vincent Chinyere Aminomwan who is the Elema of Obi-anyinma, the traditional custodian of the Obi-anyinma and some other interest groups and some chiefs within the locality; Obi-anyinma is a subsidiary of Abavo community. So the Obi of Abavo invited them to resolve the matter.

“During the amicable resolution”, he went on, “it was agreed that the youth leadership should cast their votes in the palace to determine who becomes the youth leader and the Secretary and that was done in the palace. It was when the Elema of Ob was going home that he was shot down.

About 16 houses have been burnt and they are still burning as I speak to you. Although a detachment of mobile unit has been sent there but I don’t think it has helped matters. The town has been deserted and is now a ghost to set up a panel of Inquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crisis”.

-Vanguardwp_posts