Owukpa mining crisis: Austine Agada sues for peace, calls for release of Okwori Onaji

OWUKPA MINING CRISIS AND THE ARREST OF OKWORI ONAJI:
– NO ALTERNATIVE TO PEACE.

As one of the leaders from Owukpa community and Idoma land in general, I have spent the past 48 hours on engaging all the Actors in the ongoing crisis that emanated from the mining of coal in Owukpa community and the resultant arrest of Mr Okwori Onaji, a native of the community upon his planned protest and compilation of a documentary against the mining activities that will, to a large extent, have some environmental impact on the land.

My singular mission of engaging the personages in the whole episode is to ensure the sustenance of peace, unity and development of my dear community.

I started my mediation engagement from the Owukpa youth leader to some other notable youths of our place and to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Orokam division where Okwori Onaji was later detained.

I have also been talking to the Traditional Ruler, the Onomo of Owukpa, the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council, our community leader Chief Mathias Abutu, Heads of other Security Agencies in the LGA, the various leaders of Owukpa community and some senior police officers including the Commissioner of police in Benue state with the hope of achieving peaceful resolution of the matter since I know that this issue would not be solved on the media space.

I am somehow disappointed that there are some elements that are not disposed to the peace angle from where my effort is being anchored, hence they intensify their game of fueling the crisis from the sidelines, thus attenuating my effort.

Though the case has been transferred to the state Headquarters of the Nigerian Police in Makurdi, I still believe that we can resolve this matter amicably as brothers.

Therefore, I urge all the parties in the case to give peace a chance and I equally call on all well meaning sons and daughters of Owukpa and Idoma land to join me in restoring & ensuring peace & justice in Owukpa land.

Finally, I wish to call on the Commissioner of police, Benue State to appreciate the concerns raised by the various callers that have reached out to him so far on this issue and text messages he has received in that regard and toe the path of honour in releasing OKWORI ONAJI from custody so we can go to the bases as a family and resolve the matter once and for all.

I also want to use this opportunity to thank every concern Comrade, Blogger and more importantly our community Leader Chief Mathias Abutu and HRH Chief Emmanuel Odeh (Ada’ Ogbadibo) for their understanding and efforts in talking to the Commissioner of Police on the peaceful resolution of the crisis.

Thank you very much and may God bless every one of us.

Comrade Austin Agada.
Owukpa Ogbadibo LGA, Benue State.