By Lukeman Olabiyi
The Ubulu-Uku Kingdom Descendants Council (UDC), Aniocha-South Local Government Area of Delta State, has raised the alarm over the unlawful arrest of two of their prominent sons who were taken to Abuja by policemen who claimed that they came from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
The union has sent a save-our-souls to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to wade into the issue as their arrest was only to silence and intimidate the community from speaking the truth.
In a statement by President General of UDC, Peter Udene Ugbaja, he said,”The attention of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom Descendants Council, (UDC), has been drawn to the purported arrest and detention of two vibrant young men of Ubulu-Uku descent.
“Information reaching the UDC has it that Mr. Fortune Ngozi Onwordi, a renowned exponent and promoter of Ubulu-Uku and Enuani culture as well as Mr. Patrick Iweka, president of Isho Quarters branch of Ubulu-Uku Youths Development Council following a petition written against them by yet- to -be identified person(s) as the UDC is yet to sight the purported petition.
“ It is said the petitioner(s) alleged that the two progressive sons of Ubulu-Uku were framed to the effect that they are gun runners, cultists and engaged in disturbance of the community.
“ Wiile the true picture is yet- to- be ascertained, some facts have emerged:A detachment of Police men were despatched from Abuja to abduct the two men – Mr. Iweka from his home in Ubulu-Uku, while Mr. Onwordi was taken from his home in Asaba in the presence of his wife with the Police team failing to disclose their identity or declaring they were taking them outside Delta State.
“This is not the first time such false petitions were written against members of our youth leadership. Similar false allegations were made against them in the past. The Commissioner of Police in Asaba, Delta State had on one of such fruitless endeavours barred the purveyors of such allegations from coming to his office again.
“Getting Mr. Onwordi and Mr. Iweka abducted to Abuja is a direct reaction to the fact that the Delta State Police Command will no longer ingratiate the purveyors of such false allegations”.
Ugbaja, as expressed shock and sadness over the abduction of the men to Abuja. He said it is an extension to a sinister and dangerous level of the evil machinations of those who do not wish Ubulu-Uku well. He said the perpetrators are basically trying to silence the voices opposed to those that call out the people involved in creating rancour in the community.
Ugbaja condemned the perpetrators, saying, “ “ the two men will not be left to the machinations of dark forces.Efforts are on to secure their release and ensure the police are no longer used to intimidate young men or anybody seeking the end of the reign of impunity and brigandage in Ubulu-Uku Kingdom.
“ The UDC considers the abduction of the young men as an extension of the bid to muscle and bully Ubulu-Uku into submission and silence while dark forces embark on the plundering of the community’s resources.”
Mr. Ugbaja urged all indigenes of Ubulu-Uku to remain steadfast in resisting the dark forces, assuring that the UDC would not relent in taking all lawful measures to contain and defeat the twin threat of attacks by external forces and their dubious collaborators from within.