Wednesday, June 3, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

Suspects of Onuwaje’s murder must face trial –Delta community

Ugborodo

The people of Ugborodo Community in Warri South-West Local Government, Delta State, have insisted that masterminds of the murder of Emiko Onuwaje must face trial to secure justice for the bereaved family.

They also vowed not accept the return of a prominent indigene of the community back home, until culprits were fished out by the Police and face proper prosecution.

The leaders of the community made the declaration on Monday during a peaceful protest at Ogidigben,Ugborodo Federated Communities of Warri Federal Constituency.

Clad in all-black, the aggrieved Ugborodo indigenes, marched through streets in Ogidigben, singing solemn songs and brandishing leaves.

Addressing newsmen,  Vice Chairman of Ugborodo Community Management Committee, (UCMC) and spokesman of Ogidigben Community Council of Elders, Austin Ajuremisan, maintained that there was no way justice would come, without bringing the culprit to book.

Also speaking with journalists,

Secretary, Ugborodo Community Management Committee, UCMC, 0000Eyengho Samuel Besidone, equally demanded for justice as he noted that routing the suspects would go a long way in calming frayed nerves, particularly the agitated youths in the community.

He said: “The man (Emiko Onuwaje) killed, has children and family, the killing is purely murder, not community differences. When the armed men invaded our community, we thought they were bandits, only to see some of our brothers, claiming to fight for palace.

“We are calling on the federal government and security agencies, to do the needful. The dead is crying for justice and justice must be served.”

The Eghare – Aja of Ugborodo, Eghare Daniel Uwawah, in his own account recalled that the incident happened when some Ugborodo indigenes, including the late Emiko Onuwaje, were on their way to Shell Petroleum Development Company( SPDC) in Ogidigben for a peaceful protest, that they were allegedly attacked, leading to Onuwaje’s death.

Prominent Itsekiri leader,Ayirimi Emami, who was in grief, asserted: “My pipeline surveillance company, had written several petitions against the prime suspect, who does illegal bunkering activities. Whenever you tell him to retrace his footsteps, they will say you are fighting the palace, as if the palace is aiding criminality. Does the palace send people to protest or partake in criminal activities?

“The President is against illegal possession of fire arms, once they find out it’s not Ayiri, nobody wants to act. One of the boys caught, has made confessional statements in view of the murder of Emiko Onuwaje.”