Delta State Government Declares Disbanded Delta Militia Force Wanted Over Uvhie Crisis

By Oghenoepkoro Efe

There was a pandemonium in Uvwie local government area between Omorhiakpore Gift German alias ‘Chop Chop’, Ovo Jadowa, Kelvin Dedekuma, Frank Onosigho, Hilary Osio and some notable Party Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party over non payment of money approved for the militia group.

The crisis which led to the declaration by the Delta State Governor, Ifanyi Okowa disbanding the militia group over what the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chris Anigwo described as unrepentant attitude of the militia group left some members injured while others took to their heels.

Scooping for news, the crusaders voice gathered that Mr. Omorhiakpore Gift German and his militia group have been declared wanted by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for disrupting the peace that existed at Ekpan and it’s environs in Uvwie local government.

The Disbanded Delta Force Militia Group are allegedly involved in maiming, harassing and terrorizing people at will while some notable chieftains of the ruling peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Government also used them to rig election and thereafter dump them as well .

Scooping further, it was revealed that the Delta Force Militia Group fell out with the State government due to unfulfilled promises in March 7, 2021 which led to the State declaring them wanted, saying they are terrorists who had been harassing and maiming people at will and were immediately placed in the wanted list in the interest of the state.

However, Omorhiakpore Gift German Alias Chop Chop, who spoke on behalf of the wanted Disbanded Delta force militias members, said that trouble broke out when the “Nigeria’s combined military team led by an attack dog of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta state attacked the peaceful group who were demanding for their payment and other entitlements for jobs executed against some opposition figures in Ugbomro community of Uvwie Local Government Area on behalf of the PDP against the All progressive congress APC, the main opposition party in the state.

“We were peaceful and waiting to collect our payment at the home of Honourable Barrister Evelyn Oboro. We were kept for over 7 hours without food and water and nobody came to address us on our demand. The group started getting restive when it was clear that PDP leaders where not interested in meeting our needs. On siting the Local Government Chairman ,Honourable Ramsey Onoyake the group blocked the gate and demanded they’d be paid before leaving. It was at this point that the gathering was invaded by some security personnels and anti terror unit of the police force.

“The security forces shot at our members and some sustain injuries while some were died from gunshot injuries and those of us who survived were whisked away. Some of us were able to escape the arrest of the combined military team”. Omorhiakpore Gift German said.

However, two policemen and one army officer reportedly sustained serious bullet injuries during the exchange of gunfire with the group members and are being treated in the Federal Medical Centre Asaba.

Further Investigations has also revealed that the disbanded terror group were responsible for the attack on communities, opposition political figures, the headquarters of the Police and Nigerian Correctional Service in Warri Delta state on 21st November 2020 in addition to a series of attacks on security personnel and formations in the Delta State and South-South parts of the country.

“The activities of the group has been threatening the peace and security of the the state, this led the Delta state government to wield the big stick on the activities of the disbanded group says Chief Ashubu a PDP stalwart in Delta state.

Scooping further,The Crusaders voice further gathered that some of the group members who were arrested have made valuable confessions to the recent unrest in Uvwie.

In another development, after the militia group survived the Uvwie security crackdown, report had it that they went into hiding while the security forces acting on a tip off, stormed the hideout of the group and allegedly came under rapid gunfire as they approached the camp of the group. 

“In a bold and clinical response, the joint security forces fought back gallantly. The Forces eventually neutralized the overall Commander of the disbanded Delta force Militia popularly known as commander Marley Omatseye and three other armed fighters of the armed group.

When contacted for comments, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed the report in a telephone chat with our correspondent in Warri.

She said, “It is true that one person was killed. They said another person died this morning but they did not report that to the Police. It is what they report, we confirm.”

The Disbanded Delta force militia (DFM) is a regional armed group in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria that aims for the autonomy of the Niger Delta region to control its rich natural resources. It’s a breakaway group of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) headed by General Tompolo. MEND was the pivot of the resources control struggle prior to 2007 when the administration of Late president Musa Yar’adua offered to grant amnesty to repentant armed groups in the region.

The cry of marginalization by the top hierarchy of MEND by the smaller groups have led them back to perceived political enemies.