Posted by By Isaac Olamikan on
The people of Odioma community who were invaded by men of the Joint Task Force early this year have made a passionate plea to Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha,, urging him to appoint one of their own, preferably acivl servant, to head the newly reconstituted caretaker committee of Kaiko-Ibe-Awo Local Government Council.
The people of Odioma community who were invaded by men of the Joint Task Force early this year have made a passionate plea to Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha,, urging him to appoint one of their own, preferably acivl servant, to head the newly reconstituted caretaker committee of Kaiko-Ibe-Awo Local Government Council.
Speaking to the Telegraph through Phiilemon Kelly-Dickson and Reuben Diepre, the Community's Youth Leader, the Odioma people said they were at a loss to explain why there has been strong opposition to one of their sons becoming chairman of the newly reconstituted Kaiko-Ibe-Awo Local Government Council.
They pleaded with the governor to discountenance all such petitions and negative comments emanating from their neighbours who have always tagged any indigene of Odioma a cultists all in a bid to give them negative image.
The Odioma people said their appeal to the governor was hinged on the fact that several months after the invasion of their community by men of the Joint Task force, they stand on the verge of extinction.
They recalled, "It might be instructive to nudge our collective memories that the 19th of February, 2005, a combined military force unleashed wanton devastation upon the community."
They further noted, "Worse still, our women were ganged, raped with wild abandon. Our property was also looted by our hostile and not too friendly neighbours. Well over 20 persons were killed by the military blitz, many are still missing."
"We would like to state categorically", the Odioma people stressed, "that up till now, the Odioma community has not been resettled or rehabilitated. Our people are still displaced and homeless."
However, they gave kudos to Chief Alamieyeseigha for sending relief materials to the community at a time of great need.