Police broker peace in Delta community’s chieftaincy crisis

NORMALCY seems to be gradually returning to Abavo community in Ika-South Council of Delta State after a four-day orgy of violence between the feuding factions in the town, which led to the purported removal of its traditional ruler, Obi Uche Ireruma.

A peace parley yesterday held at the instance of the Delta State Police Command between the royal family and a retinue of palace chiefs led by Obi Ireruma, who the Abavo Traditional Council insisted, was still the bona fide monarch, attempted to resolve the intra-communal conflict.

At the meeting, the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, who addressed the rival groups, warned any person or group attempting to cause a breach of the peace in the kingdom.

He advised both parties to be guided by the overall interest of the community in whatever they were doing, saying they should refrain from any unlawful act in the pursuit of their grievances.

Also, a statement issued by the Police Spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, after the meeting, explained that the Command had successfully settled the warring factions in Abavo autonomous community.

Crisis broke out in the community last weekend when the villagers protested that the late Obi James Okunbor, father of Obi Ireruma, was wrongfully imposed on them in 1991 by some persons from Abavo royal family against the wish of his predecessor, Obi S. Jegbefume II.

He was said to have written a testament dated April 4, 1985, saying that his eldest son, Prince Sunday Ekhator, should be crowned Obi of Abavo after him (Jegbefume).