Community Allege Attempt By Herdsmen To Abduct Monarch, As Otuaro Says Delta Govt Tackling Insecurity

The people of Uwheru Kingdom in Ughelli North local government area of Delta State have alleged attempt by suspected Fulani herdsmen to abduct their traditional ruler.

This was disclosed after a closed door meeting between the Traditional Ruler and Chiefs of Uwheru Kingdom and Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro in Asaba, the state capital.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Otuaro assured Deltans and the people of Uwheru Kingdom that the government of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is deeply committed to the security of lives and property of all Deltans.

Otuaro explained that Senator Okowa was very conscious of the phenomenon of security of life and properties, stressing, “There is no way we can toil with security issues.”

“Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa is concerned about security of lives and property in Uwheru Kingdom as elsewhere in the state. We are talking about alleged attempted abduction of the King of Uwheru Kingdom here. We have stressed that traditional rulers are key to peace and security which in turn constitute the pivot of our policy thrust”, Otuaro said.

Continuing, he said, “We are trying to look into the details of what actually transpired because a traditional ruler was involved. There were allegations to that effect that the police authority have some issues and it became critical especially as it concern our traditional ruler and our traditional institution. And of course you are aware that they are the custodians of the customs and traditions of our people.

“When you have security challenges in a particular kingdom, it gives a cause to be worried about. That is why we had the traditional rulers of Uwheru and the Ovie of Ughelli kingdoms including Chief Patrick Muoboghare and other leaders from Uwheru kingdom and top security officers and government functionaries in attendance. We came together to look into the issues with a view to finding lasting solutions to the security challenges in Uwheru kingdom.

The deputy governor noted, “We hope to deepen this discussion further so that we can have a lasting solution to the security challenges in the kingdom because this is the pivot of our policy trust as a government and we do not want to toil with it. We have made substantial progress”, he added.

Secretary to the monarch,  Chief (Hon) Benjamin Ohworeko and Prof. Patrick Muobaghare, former Commissioner for Education in the state, who earlier raised the allegations said they were “satisfied with the the intervention of the state government through the Deputy Governor”.

They, however accused the police of complicity for reportedly trying to cow them to submission, alleging that they allow Fulani herdsmen to go about killing their people and destroying their farm lands.

The community leaders noted that some of the issues raised by security agencies were exaggerated, describing them as giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it but expressed joy that the deputy governor had been able to handle it to their satisfaction.

Specifically, Muoboghare said, “We are comfortable with the dialogue reached with the Deputy Governor over the security breaches in Uwheru. This is a serious commitment on the side of any good government that desire peace for her citizens.”