Tension persists in Warri, as thugs attack sympathisers of Chief Emami

Barely two weeks after residents of Okere Community in Warri South local government area of Delta state suffered sporadic gun shots from unidentified military men, tension has again gripped the community again as thugs attacked innocent indigenes who were just returning to the city after the last ugly incidents.

Findings revealed that those targeted in the attacks were loyalists of the prominent Warri businessman and philanthropist, Chief Ayiri Emami.
Chief Emami had recently while offering prayer at the community shrine sought divine intervention on the stool of Warri, a supplication which courted the anger of the incumbent Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

The victims of Thursday attacks included David Iwere and Philip Awani, among others. They had earlier been granted bail from Police custody among other innocent victims of March 2 attack before they were physically assaulted again.

Narrating his experience in a chat with newsmen, Mr. David Iwere, claimed that the reason for the persistent assaults on him and others was their support for Chief Ayiri Emami, over his insistence on the edict as regards succession to the throne of Olu of Warri and the preservation of Itsekiri custom and tradition, “which the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, is bent on desecrating with oily substance as displayed in Okere Community Ogwa ( town hall) on Saturday March 2 this year and similar exercise earlier at Ogbowuru hall in Ode – Itsekiri and Ugborodo.”

“We will not succumb to the continued attacks, the Inspector – General of Police, should take note of the lawless and destruction being carried out by thugs acting on the behest of the Olu of Warri.”

Further checks revealed that the police in Delta State have reportedly invited those fingered as threats to the peace of the Okere community.

In the letter signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Abubakar, Warri Area Command headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force, Warri, Delta state aides of Olu of Warri was allegedly listed among those constituting threats to peace.