Members of Okere community loyal to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse lll, have been reportedly chased out of their homes in Okere, by those allegedly loyal to Mr Ayiri Emami, the former Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Warri South local government area of Delta State by vigilantes and some policemen.
In a press statement made available to journalists yesterday by the national president and secretary of a group, Children of Drivers and Fishermen Association (CODAFA), they described the act as “barbaric, senseless and man’s inhumanity to man.”
But Ayiri in a publication distanced himself from the attack and declared that he had been busy making preparation for the burial of his aunty, Mama Newe Emani.
He said, “I can’t be burying my aunt and be think of crisis in my community.
It is not true that I have a hand in the attack. My aunt was being buried so am thinking of the funeral.”
According to Diden, over a hundred people were chased out of their homes by those loyal to Ayiri Emami and they had to take refuge at the Palace of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse lll.
He said they were chased out late in the evening after the burial ceremony of Mr Emami’s aunty, Madam Urowoli Emami at the Rice Farm, Esisi Road.
While condemning the attack, he said the “madness must stop”.
The CODAFA president said some live cartridges and three identity cards belonging to one Tseyi Ebieto, cutlasses and other items were recovered from the scene of the attack.
He said the members of the association had to see to the welfare of those who escaped as not less than 10 people were injured.
When contacted on phone, the police image maker in the state, SP Edafe Bright said, “There was a fracas over the chairmanship of Okere youths, the two factions were having issues but it has been addressed and resolved. Our policemen are on ground.”
