The people of Ugborodo Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have renewed their demand for justice over the killing of Emiko Onuwaje, insisting that all suspects linked to the crime must be prosecuted to bring closure to the bereaved family and restore peace in the area.
Amid lingering claims and counter-claims, community leaders said there could be no reconciliation or return to normalcy unless those responsible for the murder are identified, arrested and made to face trial.
The demand was made on Monday during a peaceful protest at Ogidigben, where residents of Ugborodo Federated Communities marched through major streets clad in black, singing solemn songs and brandishing leaves as symbols of mourning and protest.
Addressing journalists, Vice Chairman of the Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC) and spokesperson of the Ogidigben Community Council of Elders, Mr. Austin Ajuremisan, said justice remained the community’s only demand.
“There is no way justice can be achieved without bringing the culprits to book,” Ajuremisan said. “We want a lawful and transparent process that will ensure accountability for this killing.”
Also speaking, Secretary of the UCMC, Mr. Eyengho Samuel Besidone, said the prosecution of suspects would help calm rising tension, especially among aggrieved youths.
“This was not a community disagreement. It was murder,” Besidone said. “The deceased has children and a family. When armed men invaded our community, we initially thought they were bandits, only to later realise that some of them were our own brothers, claiming to be fighting for palace interests.”
He called on the Federal Government and security agencies to act decisively, stressing that justice for the dead was necessary for lasting peace. “The dead is crying for justice, and justice must be served,” he said.
Giving his account, the Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo, Chief Daniel Uwawah, said the incident occurred when some Ugborodo indigenes, including the late Onuwaje, were on their way to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) facilities in Ogidigben for a peaceful protest.
“They were allegedly attacked along the way, and that attack resulted in the death of Emiko Onuwaje,” Uwawah said.
Prominent Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayirimi Emami, who spoke in grief, alleged that the prime suspect had been previously reported for illegal bunkering activities.
“My pipeline surveillance company has written several petitions against the prime suspect over illegal bunkering,” Emami said. “Whenever you caution him, it is framed as an attack on the palace. Does the palace send people to protest or engage in criminal activities?”
He added that one of the arrested suspects had allegedly made confessional statements in connection with the killing, urging security agencies to act without bias or fear.
The protesters warned that failure to ensure justice could further inflame tensions, calling on the police to conclude investigations promptly and allow the courts to determine the matter in line with the rule of law.
Ugborodo Community Demands Justice for Onuwaje, Insists Suspects Must Face Trial
