Itsekiri leaders, under the aegis of Ugbarajo Iwere Leaders Foundation (UILF) have condemned last Saturday’s attack by some youths on the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, at Okere community in Warri South local government area of Delta State.
The leaders charged the inspector-general of police (IGP) to fish out the suspects now at large, including their sponsors and ensure they face the wrath of the law.
At an emergency meeting of the UILF in Warri, Delta state yesterday, the Itsekiri leaders reiterated their support for the eminent monarch.
A member of the publicity committee of the foundation, Hon Emmanuel Orugbo, who spoke with journalists after the meeting, said, “This group of people have for the past one year been terrorising the Okere community with the idea of advancing their ideology of rejecting the successful succession of the 21st Olu of Warri to the throne.
“While we agree that minorities and in the extant case, most micro-minorities can have their say, their say has to be within the ambit of the law.
“These old men, who present themselves as youths, cannot be allowed to continue to run riot the way they have been doing for the past two years.
“We recall that this group of ‘youths’ has, on multiple occasions in the past, attacked, injured and damaged the properties of persons they perceive to hold any contrary views to theirs.
“The attacks, which have resulted in a couple of law suits that are still pending in court, have successfully established a regime of fear in the Okere people who cannot, for this reason now, sleep well at night; their economic lives having gone down the drains.
“We find it bizarre that this group of people could develop the boldness to attempt to disrupt the visit to the community of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri kingdom.
“Even though their attempt was unsuccessful, as a foundation, we shall work with all well-meaning sons and daughters of Warri kingdom to identify and encourage that every possible sanction within the law be meted to the culprits to ensure that such deviant behaviours are completely discouraged in the future”
Orugbo called on the youths of Warri Kingdom to get engaged in fruitful ventures with a view to reducing the temptation of being susceptible to restiveness and usage by disgruntled elements in the society.
He said, “We remain unflinchingly supportive of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, who remains a pride not just to Warri Kingdom but to Delta State and Nigeria in general. We call for respect for the rule of law and the traditional institution.”
Meanwhile, four suspects have been arrested and arraigned in court over the attack on the Olu of Warri.
The suspects were arraigned in charge No: FHC/WR/18c/2024 before the Federal High Court, Warri on four-count charges of terrorism, cybercrime, conspiracy to wit: attempted murder.
The case has, however, been adjourned to April 2, 2024, while the four defendants were remanded at the Warri Correctional Facility, Okere in Warri.
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