By Sunday Apah
Following reports of soldiers invading Okpare community earlier today, the Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Council, Hon. Dr. Lucky Avweromre, has described the story as false and unfounded, stating that the soldiers’ presence in the community was to ensure compliance with the postponement of the conference order.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the Local Government Council, Olorogun John Ewenede, on behalf of the council, it was clarified that the military presence in Okpare was not an invasion, as had been previously reported.
He added that the soldiers were on their routine community-to-community monitoring patrol in the Ughelli South Local Government Area.
The statement read: “To say that the military invaded Okpare community is untrue and false; they were in Okpare to ensure compliance with the Local Government Council Chairman’s order to postpone the community conference scheduled for December 26, 2024.”
“The conference was postponed due to a court order restraining and prohibiting community meetings pending court proceedings.
“The Ughelli South Local Government Council, led by Chairman Hon. Lucky I. Avweromre, Ph.D., (JP), requested the postponement to maintain peace and stability in the community.”
The letter was addressed to the President General of Okpare Community and copied to various security agencies, including the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Force, and the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Agbor, Delta State.
“The presence of the security agencies, including the police, the NSCDC, the Army, and the VGN, was aimed at preventing any potential defiance of the Chairman’s order and ensuring a peaceful resolution.
“It’s essential to correct the misleading information and provide an accurate account of the events.”
