Omadino Community dismisses Gbaramatu Voice report, says militants from Gbaramatu attacked Akpata

People of Omadino Community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, have dismissed a report on Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper, which claimed Omadino youths attacked Akpata, saying it was militants from Gbaramatu that launched renewed onslaught on Akpata in Aja - Jelebe, Omadino Federated Community.                                      

Chief Priest of Omadino Community, Roland Oti Yomere, who addressed newsmen at Omadino Sunday May 26, on behalf of the oil - rich community, said the fresh attack by the alleged Gbaramatu militants, was not the first in recent times.                 

The alleged fake video trending online, where Ijaws of Gbaramatu , claimed Itsekiri youths attacked them and destroyed their property

Chief Priest Yomere, stated: " This is not the first time, but a recurrent attack. Sometime last year after the Warri crisis, people were killed and properties destroyed, our people left for safety of their lives.

"After a decade plus, we Omadino people decided to go back to our lands, to start our business by fishing, farming and domestic activities in the Creek, only for one Sensor Oluba sponsored by Tompolo, through Tantita Security Services, to launch attack against us. Houses were destroyed, Zinc, foams, foodstuffs as well as other property, were carted away, while some of our people were kidnapped and held hostage for hours ,before my intervention and that of other Omadino leaders, leading to their eventual release.

"We called on the Delta State government and Federal Government to intervene as at last year, but nothing was done. We started our businesses again on a very small scale, on a low key, we were building structures there quietly until yesterday May 24, we were attacked at around 3: 00am, they raided our properties and burnt them down.

"Also yesterday morning, we saw on tiktok the surveillance people also known as Tantita people claiming that they were building houses there and Omadino people attacked them, but that is not true, they are trying to seek sympathy from the public, Federal and State governments.

"The truth is that since last year, we have been crying to the state government as well as the Federal Government to come to our aid. I remembere sometime ago even Tantita sent some persons through their office to investigate the matter, but till today nothing has been done.

"We are still calling on the State and Federal Government that one Sensor Oluba, the Pubaul family of Makaraba and Gbaramatu should be called to order, they are responsible and this issue had been on ground, for example they have driven all our security surveillance that is working for Chevron from Makaraba field, before now, so who is deceiving who? The land is for Omadino community, we have a Supreme Court judgement to that effect, to the whole of that area, so how can I who is trying to go to a great length for my community that was destroyed a decade ago, be the one destroying our property? How come we cried to the state and Federal Governments last year. There was pictures and videos on social media to show for it, but till now nothing has been done, not even single meeting was held.

"There was pictures of Tantita Security personnel who came there to invade our people headed by one Sensor Oluba and calls kept on flying to the extent that even Tompolo called to say he was not aware of what they are doing in the Creek. Now suddenly it's now Omadino people that is destroying their property. 

"We are calling on the Federal government to investigate exactly what transpired , because those our lands.

Esugbo, Eyobe, Egwatie, Egwakporo, Akpata, Lolomi, Aja - Jelebe, name them. These are where we dwell, farm and fish in the years.

"If you go the archive of Chevron, NNPCL, from She'll now NPDC, 90% of those accusations are done bu Omadino, so is it a crime to be minority? 

"We are calling on the State government, Federal Government and security agencies to come to our aid. We will not run from our lands, until they kill all Itsekiris, all Omadino people, we will keep on going to the lands, until Federal Government see reasons to keep peace and protect the lives and properties of the Itsekiri people, according to the oat of office that he took, because they(Tantita) are claiming land owners.

"As at now, there is tension in the community, even our people can no longer sleep there."

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