Group Calls For An End To Attacks On Kokori

soldiers combatant

Urhobo Peace Initiative, UPI, weekend, appealed to the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, to stop further attacks on Kokori community in Delta State, insisting that the invasion of the community was causing economic hardship to the people.

The group also urged members of the Liberation Movement for Urhobo People, LMUP, to also sheathe their swords in the interest of the socio-economic well-being of residents of the community.

Reacting on the activities of the military in the town since the arrest of kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Onairah, Chairman of UPI, Chief Igho Osiebe, called on the state and Federal governments to prevail on the JTF to stop further invasion of Kokori community.

Osiebe also enjoined government to create room for dialogue, expressing hope that the crisis would be resolved at a roundtable.

According to him, the prices of food items have gone up beyond the reach of the ordinary folks in Kokori since the crisis started, adding that only the rich could afford three square meals now in Kokori.

“The old and the young have been subjected to serious hardship for a cause they know nothing about.

“The other sub-clans in Agbon Kingdom, who are Kokori brothers and the leadership of Urhobo Progress Union should explore means of finding a lasting solution to the lingering crisis instead of sitting on the fence to watch what will become of Kokori community.”

Osiobe also called on all Kokori sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora to intervene in the crisis with a view to finding a lasting solution to same, adding “no community is developed in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.”