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A coastal community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ikuru Town, has appealed to the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), and Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to intervene in the alleged invasion of the community by armed men “operating under the auspices of OSPAC.”
The resolution was contained in a press statement signed on behalf of the community by the Secretary of Ikuru Town Community General Assembly, Priest Paul Amamino and made available to newsmen.
The community alleged that the armed men accompanied HRM King Dr. Aaron Miller Ikuru into the community on Saturday, May 31, 2025. They said this followed the signing and adoption of a consent judgment in suit no SHC/42/CS/2023, between the community and the king on May 26, 2025, at the Rivers State High Court, Sapkeenwa Division before Hon. Justice Daketima Gabriel Kio.
The community said they rejected the presence of OSPAC operatives, whether stationed or as visitors, adding that “the existing Naval outposts and police vans positioned at the king’s palace are adequate to ensure the safety of both our community and the king.”
According to the community, “the reckless and irresponsible use of firearms was not only a grievous affront to security but also a blatant violation of the recently signed peace and reconciliation agreement and consent judgement.”
They stressed that the said invasion “undermines all the efforts of the peace committee and the dedicated effort of Sir, Surveyor Atajit Francis, Sole Administrator of Andoni Local Government Area, who has tirelessly strived to reconcile all parties since his assumption of office.
“We feel compelled to voice our strong rejection and bring the public attention the recent and unwarranted intrusion of known and unknown armed cultist masquerading as OSPAC operatives in our peaceful community.”
“While we do not oppose the provision of professional police officers as escorts for HRM King Dr. Aaron Miller Ikuru within our community, we absolutely cannot accept notorious cultists, disguised as OSPAC operatives, who seek to intimidate, terrorize, and falsely accuse our innocent youths and elders by branding them as enemies of the king.
“The sight of these dreadful gunmen, in large numbers, led by one Mr. Destiny Ijah Minabelem a known loyalist of Mr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya and Mr. Urombo Metong Bertram, who has history of violence and was recently suspended for gross misconduct as the former Chairman of the IYC Ngo Clan, together with some known cult members who were previously temporarily expelled from the community for their role in the crisis, now clad in OSPAC uniforms, roaming our community unrestrained, brandishing weapons, and chanting ominous war songs, alongside their grotesque rituals marked by white cocks and unsettling fetishes, has instilled an overwhelming atmosphere of fear and anxiety.
“Their disturbing presence has not only shattered our sense of safety and dignity but has turned our once-peaceful community into a place of dread.”
The statement linked the alleged onslaught against the community to the influence of, “Mr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya and Mr. Urombo Metong Bertram, SAN, who appear dissatisfied that the Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, led by Rtd Rear Admiral Emmanuel G. Ofik, has refused to heed their unreasonable demands. ”
According the statement, these demands include, “allowing Davies to retain his position as the chairman council of Chief, a move that directly violates the community constitution, and the insistence on the retention of Metong Urombo SAN, as the community lawyer, despite his having been disengaged from this role by the community due to allegations of corruption.”
The statement explained that, “this duo appears resolute in undermining and frustrating the progress achieved in fostering lasting harmony within the community because of their selfish interest.”
It added that the community members have chosen to refrain from retaliating against the blatant intimidation and harassment they have experienced at the hands of these men, but as a peace-loving people they cannot allow the presence of OSPAC whether genuine or fake to disrupt the peace of the community.
Our correspondent could not get a response from King Aaron Miller Ikuru as of going to press
