Wife of the man slain during the crisis between Ogwashi-Uku and Otulu communities, (Cletus Okpala-Ozumba), his widow, Mrs. Chidimma Okpala-Ozumba has cried out to the Delta state government to bring to book those who killed her husband while the family of the deceased demands for the remains of Cletus Okpala-Ozumba.
The Widow, Chidimma Okpala-Ozumba, said that on that fateful day, her husband told her that he was going to the farm to check their water melon, only to be called after a while that her husband was shot dead.
She said she could not figure out what exactly transpired between her husband and his killers, stressing that since five years she was married to her late husband they had never fought or seen him fought anywhere.
Chidimma called on the Delta state government to give her late husband justice because they are peasant farmers, and to assist her with the raising of the three children he left behind, adding that the remains of her husband should be release to their family for proper burial.
In the same vein, the Youth Leader, Mr. Francis Oduano who conducted newsmen to the deceased family house, said that this is the fourth man the community is losing over the ownership Otulu Community.
Oduano said that it was quite unfortunate that traditional authorities in Ogwashi-uku would continue to humiliate the poor farmers in Otulu, stressing that the traditional head of Ogwashiuku, accompanied by suspected thugs and two spiritualist came to perform rituals at the community junction.
He said that after their incantations and sacrifices, they walked to the site where the community sold land intended to provide electricity with the proceeds, started destroying the fence, while on hearing a side talk from onlookers, an armed thug shot one Cletus to death.
Oduano said, in provocation, the youths took to the street, held the few men of the group before arrival of the military, adding that they had earlier protested to Government House with promises to intervene in Otulu matter within a short time.
He disclosed that shortly after the protest to Asaba, the community got a letter from the traditional head of Ogwashi-uku demanding why the people should protest, adding that next few days, they saw the King with his people coming to perform rituals.
Oduano appeal to Delta State Government as a matter of urgency intervene for the interest of the poor farmers, bring justice for the late Cletus, provide basic social amenities to the community and stop anybody laying claims over the community.
The Youth Leader debunked the allegation that Otulu is haven for criminality, stressing that Otulu is a peaceful Community, and this is the fourth time a youth was killed in the town and they people did not do anything, while the case was abandoned.
He said, with what happened two days ago in other communities nobody would spare the killers if caught but because the people of Otulu were peace loving people, they left the killers till the military came.
Oduano advised the youths to maintain peace till they hear from the State Government, pleading that violence will not solve issues, while assuring the people that Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa would definitely bring a long lasting solution to the humiliations, dominance, and killing they face every time.
