The people of Otulu Ogwashi-Uku, a farming community under Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom in Delta State can now heave a sigh of relief as a combined team of officers from the Nigerian Police Federal Intelligence Department Abuja and the Nigerian Police Zone 5 Zonal Command in Benin City, Edo State dismantled the activities of a terrorist group that has terrified the community. The action underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law to ensure peace and safety in communities.
The group, allegedly led by the fugitive Francis Oduwanor, had been declared wanted two years ago by the Nigerian Police Inspector General following directives from the Delta State Government Security Council. Key members of the group including Francis Oduwanor alias “big fish”, Chiedu Agwada alias “dagger” and several others were recently arrested and have been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges including illegal possession of firearms, grievous assault, murder and armed robbery. Police sources revealed the recovery of over seven sophisticated firearms and a Toyota Sienna vehicle loaded with ammunition from the gang.
Local sources confirmed that the police are also pursuing Leonard Happy alias “Tilome”, Uche Ike and Christopher Odiakaose, the brother of Francis Oduwanor, who was recently released from the Federal Correctional Center in Ogwashi-Uku. Both brothers have been implicated in orchestrating violent activities in the community.
This is not the first time the group has inflicted harm on Otulu Ogwashi-Uku. In 2022, during the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, H.R.M Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II’s traditional visit for yam festival prayers, the gang ambushed his entourage. Several individuals, including the Obi’s brother, Prince Onyema Okonjo, sustained injuries in the attack. Although some gang members were arrested then, Oduwanor managed to evade capture until recently.
Community members allege that some gang members were controversially released from detention earlier this year due to the intervention of local prominent politicians who were also implicated in encouraging separatist activities in the community. After their release, the group reportedly resumed their reign of terror, expelling the community’s traditional chief, looting properties, committing sexual violence, and inflicting inhumane punishments, such as placing dissenting elders in a soakaway pit and subjecting them to beatings and scalding water torture. A viral video of this incident sparked widespread outrage.
The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and community leaders took a firm stand by petitioning the police after the recent killings of two residents by the gang. Their actions have been widely lauded as pivotal in restoring order. Diokpa Monye, a longtime resident of the community, expressed his gratitude to both the Obi and the police for their intervention, stating, “The rule of law has been reestablished, and our community can begin to heal. We appeal to politicians to stop using Otulu Ogwashi for land grabbing and as a haven for criminality and separatist activities. There is only so much we as residents can endure.”
When visited on December 7, 2024, the community was calm but cautiously optimistic. Residents were seen moving about freely, expressing hope for the return of their traditional chief Anthony Enurah, and a lasting resolution to the crisis.
This case serves as a reminder of the critical need to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no group operates above it. The collaborative efforts of traditional institutions, security agencies, and community members underscore the importance of unity in combating lawlessness and securing justice for all. Community members have appreciated the Inspector General of Police for his unwavering commitment to restoring order to the Otulu community despite enormous challenges.
Efforts to reach the Delta State Police PRO SP Bright Edafe proved abortive as he didn’t respond to calls.
