The Ugbarajo Iwere Leaders Foundation (UILF), on behalf of the Itsekiri leaders, has tasked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) with apprehending those responsible for the attack on Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, in Okere community in Warri south local government area of Delta State last Saturday.
The UILF foundation supported the monarch in an emergency meeting on Wednesday in Warri, Delta State, stating that the attack on the monarch by a group of youths was unwarranted and unacceptable.
In a statement released on Wednesday by Hon. Emmanuel Orugbo, a member of the foundation’s publicity committee, the UILF urged young people in the Warri kingdom to engage in profitable endeavours in order to lessen their susceptibility to restlessness and exploitation by disgruntled elements of society.
“This gang of individuals has been terrorising the Okere community for the last year with the intention of furthering their ideology of rejecting the 21st Olu of Warri’s successful ascension to the throne.
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“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 lawsuits 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 drain.
“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, CFR, 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,” he vowed.
“We remain unflinchingly supportive of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, 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.”
Four individuals in connection with the attack on the Olu of Warri have been detained and charged in court.
The Federal High Court in Warri heard the arraignment of the suspects under charge number FHC/WR/18c/2024. They were charged with four counts each of terrorism, cybercrime, and conspiracy, including attempted murder. The case has been postponed until April 2, 2024, and the four defendants have been placed under remand at the Warri Correctional Facility.
