Residents of Ogidigben community in Delta state’s Warri South-West Local Government Area staged a protest on Tuesday, alleging that suspects arrested after an armed attack on the community in April had been released and were threatening to launch another attack.
The protesters called on President Bola Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and security agencies to investigate the alleged release of the suspects and strengthen security to prevent renewed violence.
The protest followed the circulation of a video on social media that community leaders said showed one of the suspects arrested after an April 6 attack on Ogidigben threatening that the group would return to the community. Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video or the claims made by the protesters.
Demonstrators carried placards reading, “Ogidigben people cannot afford a third armed attack,” “The killers of Emiko Onuwaje cannot go unpunished,” and “We now live in fear in Ogidigben.”
Austin Ajuremisan, spokesperson for the community and Vice Chairman of the Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC), said residents had lost confidence in their safety following the alleged release of suspects apprehended during the April attack.
“We are no longer safe; our lives are in danger,” Ajuremisan told reporters, adding that the community had handed the suspects over to the military after they were apprehended with the assistance of local youths and security personnel.
He urged the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to ensure those responsible were brought to justice before further violence occurred.
Jerry Iyonsi, National Youth Association Secretary of the UCMC, said armed men invaded the community on April 6 and 7 and that several suspects were arrested during a security operation.
“Our people are now living in fear because of the threat of another invasion,” he said, adding that residents expected authorities to thoroughly investigate the case.
Caroline Ekuanjemi, the UCMC women’s leader, appealed to the government to improve security in the community, saying recurring violence had left residents fearful.
“There is no peace in this community,” she said.
The protesters also called on security agencies to investigate the viral video, account for all suspects arrested during the April operation and increase security in Ogidigben.
The Nigerian Army said in April that troops recovered four AK-47 rifles and arrested two suspected criminals during an operation in Ogidigben, according to a statement by Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 63 Brigade.
The community said the latest concerns follow the killing of resident Emiko Onuwaje on Dec. 20 and the armed attack on the community in April. Reuters could not independently verify the circumstances surrounding either incident.
