UGHELLI/Nigeria: The Urhobo Renaissance Assembly has called on the military to intensify its search for the prime suspect in the murder of four army officers and twelve soldiers at Okuama community in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State. The suspect, Endurance Okodeh, also known as Amangbein, is believed to be hiding in the Bayelsa Government House, according to the group.
In a letter addressed to LT. General Taoheed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, signed by its President, Austin Esiri, the Urhobo Renaissance Assembly highlighted the need for the military to shift its focus to Bayelsa, where Okodeh is known to have significant ties and influence.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Thursday, 14th March 2024, has deeply affected the Nigerian Army and the families of the fallen heroes. The group emphasized that Okodeh, a notorious figure involved in crude oil bunkering activities in Bayelsa, has a history of confrontations with the military, resulting in the loss of lives on the side of security personnel.
The group suggested that the military’s search efforts should target the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa, where Okodeh is believed to be hiding. This strategic move, according to the group, is aimed at optimizing the chances of capturing the wanted criminal and bringing him to justice for his alleged involvement in the brutal killings.
As the pursuit of justice continues, the Urhobo Renaissance Assembly emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the right individuals are held accountable for their actions. The group reiterated its unwavering resolve to apprehend Okodeh and his associates, seeking closure and justice for the fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The group also called for the surveillance of Okodeh’s siblings, particularly the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Mr. Lucky Okodeh, and the Chairman of Bayelsa State Waterways Security, Mr. Weris Tike, whom they believe could provide leads to Okodeh’s whereabouts.
The Urhobo Renaissance Assembly cautioned against unleashing anger and reprisals on innocent communities, urging the military to adhere to the Geneva Convention in its operations.
The Full Letter To The Chief Of Staff:
URHOBO RENAISSANCE ASSEMBLY
72, Afiesere Road, Ughelli, Delta State
ATTENTION:
CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF
GENERAL TAOHEED LAGBAJA
NIGERIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
Dear Sir,
ON-GOING MILITARY OPERATIONS TO APPREHEND ENDURANCE OKODEH, A.K.A. AMANGBEIN AND HIS ACCOMPLICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE MURDER OF 4 ARMY OFFICERS AND 12 SOLDIERS AT OKUAMA COMMUNITY, UGHELLI SOUTH LGA, DELTA STATE.
THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES SHOULD SHIFT FOCUS OF THE SEARCH TO THE BAYELSA GOVERNMENT HOUSE, YENAGOA.
It is very sad. Words are not enough to express our deep sympathy to the Nigerian Army and the families of the officers and soldiers gruesomely murdered by one Endurance Okedoh and his gang of brigands at Okuama town, Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, on Thursday 14, 2024. It is most unfortunate that what happened cannot be reversed.
May the good Lord grant the gallant officers and soldiers eternal rest. Their service and supreme sacrifice to Nigeria, our fatherland would remain indelible heart of the Nation and Deltans in particular.
Apart from writing to send this open condolence, we demand that the perpetrators of the heinous crime be apprehended and brought to justice. Hence, we support the current military effort and operations to arrest the killers.
We however take strong exception to the present ruthless reprisals and siege by the military on the communities of Okuama and Gbomotoru. As two wrongs don’t make a right. The innocent people of both communities should not suffer for the crime of a handful of brigands.
All fingers seem to point at Endurance Okedoh, aka General Amagbein of Gbomtoro community in Bayelsa State. Since the military has zeroed in on him as the culprit, the right place to apprehend him is the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa.
Endurance Okodeh’s notoriety as a crude oil bunkerer is well known across the waterways of Bayelsa State. There are records of his brazen assaults on the Military Joint Task Force in the region that had led to the killing of military personnel and other security agents who stood on his path.
Available reports have it that the Commanding Officer of 181 Batallion, Nigerian Army, Bomadi, Delta State, Lt. Col. A. H Ali, who was gruesomely murdered alongside 3 officers with 12 soldiers of the batallion on Thursday, March 14th , 2024, was a cog in the wheel of Amagbein illicit crude oil business, since he assumed command of the Brigade in Bomadi.
The murdered Army Commander was therefore marked down for elimination by Amagbein and his boys. And he seized the opportunity of the Okuama/Okoloba crisis to execute his vengeance on the officer and his troop on that ill fated Thursday.
The mother of Amagbein hails from Okuama, Ughelli South LGA in Delta State, while his father is from Gbomotoru, an Ijaw community in the Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State.
The search for Amagbein by the Military should go beyond Gbomotoru Community. The military operation in that axis is bound to be futile, its brunt is borne by innocent law abiding citizens of the community.
The operation should home – in on the Bayelsa State Government House, Yenagoa. Amagbein and his cohorts are known allies of Governor Douye Diri. The fugitive and his militants worked as thugs for Douye Diri re – election in 2023.
For the above reason, the governor is very protective of Amagbein and his boys. He has now and then, played host to them in government house. They go in and out for operations for illegal operations. It is their safe Haven.
As valuable political allies, Gov. Diri sees this incidence as pay back time, Amagbein and his boys presently take refuse in the Government House Yenagoa. They are being shielded from justice.
Hence, we implore the military efforts to apprehend him should shift focus to the Bayelsa State Government House.
We request that the searchlight should also be beamed on his siblings, especially the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelesa State, Mr. Lucky Okodeh.
Also to be put under surveillance is the Chairman of Bayelsa State Waterways Security, Mr.Weris Tike. This would provide a lead to the whereabout of Endurance Okodeh (Amagbein) and his gang of murderers. Both men work hands in gloves with the fugitives.
The unleashing of anger and reprisal on innocent Ijaw and Urhobo community, is not proper. The military should stick to the Geneva Convention in operations like this.
They Army’s trial and error tactics to arrest Amagbein and his boys, merely dissipates energy and scarce resources. The focus should be on the Bayelsa Government House.
It is said that when you want the eye of a fish you go to the head. There are reliable reports that point to the Bayelsa Creek Heaven as the present hideout of Amagbein and his boys.
Once again, the Nigerian Army should accept our heartfelt condolences for the untimely death of its personnel, wickedly plotted and executed by Amagbein.
Signed:
AUSTIN ESIRI
PRESIDENT.
