Warri Crisis: I never gave money to anybody, Uduaghan declares

Contrary to speculations in Warri that the recent attacks on over six Itsekiri communities in Warri North local government area by some militant Egbema Ijaw youths was triggered by a sixty million naira allegedly given to some political leaders in Warri North by the state government to be shared among some Itsekiri and Ijaw youths for the maintenance of peace in the area, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has debunked the rumour, stressing that he never gave out money to anyone for such purpose.

The governor who was apparently miffed by the speculation advised Deltans “to desist from sending wrong information via internet and other ICT media,” just as he enjoined the media to stop glorifying criminality.

Dr. Uduaghan who was speaking at a stakeholders meeting held in Warri for Ijaw and Itsekiri leaders following fresh attacks on some Itsekiri communities by some Egbema Ijaw youths commended security agencies for collaborating with the state government to make sure peace was restored to the area.

He described the recent attacks as an embarrassment to the country and disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan is monitoring the security situation in the area.

While commending Itsekiri leaders for calming their youths against reprisal attacks, Dr. Uduaghan praised Ijaw leaders like Elder Godsday Orubebe, Chief E. K. Clark and the leadership of Egbema indigenes for condemning the attacks in strong terms.

Itsekiri and Ijaw leaders such as Chief Ayirimi Emami, Hon. Michael Diden and Chief Emmanuel Ebimami all spoke in unison, condemning the attacks and blaming it on the activities of some militant youths who have set up a militant camp at the Benin River axis to carry out illegal bunkering after falling out with military operatives deployed to the area.

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