UGHELLI – Dozens of women from the Okpavuerhe Olomu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State staged a peaceful protest on Monday, calling for urgent intervention over rising insecurity linked to a lingering leadership crisis.
The demonstrators, armed with leaves and chanting war songs, marched to the council secretariat to meet with the chairman, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, whom they urged to act decisively to restore peace.
Led by community leaders Mrs. Kesiena Arigi, Mrs. Lucy Aki, Mrs. Grace Edevwie, and Miss Aghogho Edole, the women lamented that ongoing violence in the area—allegedly involving cultists and hired thugs—has made life unbearable. They said they are now too afraid to access their farmlands due to frequent attacks and threats with dangerous weapons.
“Since the crisis resumed, criminals believed to be aligned with one of the leadership factions have taken over our farms, attacking anyone who enters,” one of the protesters said.
Responding to the protest, Council Chairman Avweromre warned that his administration would not tolerate any further escalation of the conflict.
“I urge the warring factions to stop any act that could deepen the crisis,” he said. “We have already involved law enforcement and key stakeholders to resolve this issue. Anyone using thugs to intimidate or deny community members access to their livelihoods will face legal consequences.”
Avweromre thanked the women for conducting a peaceful protest and assured them that the government of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is committed to restoring normalcy in the troubled community.
