- Relative identified body as Solomon Ikoto
- We are not at war with Aladja-Gbaramatu community leader
A decomposing, beheaded body suspected to be one of the missing Gbaramatu youths was discovered today along Warri river in Delta State.
Speaking to GbaramatuVoice on the incident, one Mr. Peter Ebime identified the lifeless-beheaded body as Solomon Ikoto’s
Ebime who identified himself as late Solomon’s cousin, said him and his late cousin slept on the same bed the night before he was declared missing, adding that the same attire he wore last time he left home was the same the beheaded-lifeless-beheaded wore.
Ebime who was apparently sad while speaking to GbaramatuVoice, said he was sure the body was that of his late cousin and he does not need a soothsayer to tell him who the body was.
Speaking to GbaramatuVoice on phone, a community leader, and chairman Kokodiagbene, comrade Sheriff Mulade condemned the barbaric act of abducting and beheading of a young man.
Comrade Mulade said Gbaramatu people are not in war with Aladja, neither was Ijaw people in war with Urhobo people, stressing that, for Aladja to go extreme by abducting and beheading an Ijaw person was condemnable.
His words, “Gbaramatu people have no issue with Aladja neither Urhobo nation; Gbaramatu is not at war with any communities of Urhobo, neither is Gbaramatu is at war with Aladja. The Ijaw people are not at war with Uhrobo people, neither are Urhobo people with the Ijaws. For Aladja to go that extreme of abducting and beheading persons all in the name of communal crisis is highly condemnable! I condemned it in its entirety.”
He said what Aladja people did could have led to serious ethnic crisis if not that Gbaramatu people are peace loving and law abiding.
Comrade Sheriff emphasized that despite the provocations by Aladja people, there are a lots of Urhobo people in Gbaramatu who are going about their normal business without any molestation.
The community leaders warned Aladja people not to try such act, stressing that Gbaramatu gentility should not be taken for cowardice or timidity.
The human rights activist also called on Delta State government to take bold steps in order to end the crisis before it go out of hand.
Comrade Sheriff wondered why Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has shown non-challant attitude to the lingering crisis, saying that Okowa is not from the affected area hence his mute.
While speaking to GbaramatuVoice on phone, Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Command, DSP Andrew said he was not aware of the incident, stressing that he would make findings and get back.
It would be recalled Solomon Ikoto, 38, and Samuel Monday, 37, all from Gbaramatu kingdom were declared missing on 13th of July 2017, as they were reportedly going about their normal business along Ovwian/Aladja river of Delta State.
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