A Centenarian, Madam Esther Obarogheruo, identified as the oldest woman in Okuama, has cried out for help from the local and Delta state governments, as a result of the aftermath of her displacement from the crisis-ridden community.
Madam Obarogberuo spoke to our public enlightenment officers at Okwagbe in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
According to Obarogberuo, her ordeal began when Okuama was thrown into chaos, as reports came in that three youths of Okuama community were killed in Okoloba, during a visit to their mother that resided in the community.
Obarogberuo narrated that in the course to remedy the situation, the matter got worse when they heard that soldiers had been killed in Okuama.
Madam Esther Obarogheruo, who is said to be 106 years old, took time to narrate how she was rescued from Okuama by the soldiers, along with her daughters, due to her age. She spoke to our reporters in the Urhobo language and had this to say had this to say:
“My daughter, Mary, was not at home at the time the crisis started. She was held by the soldiers on her way to see me in the house. When she told the soldiers that she was coming to see me, her elderly mother, they brought her personally to me. After seeing me, they asked us to leave Okuama immediately.
“In the rush, we could not take anything from the house. We were carried out on a motorcycle. In the midst of the tension and destruction, nothing was as important as life. I recall seeing my friend, the next oldest woman in Okuama, trying to leave as well; but till now, no one has heard about her. I don’t know if she is still alive or dead.
“This is how my daughter, and I were moved from one village to another until we got here to Okwagbe, my maternal village. Right now, we have nothing to live on. We have lost everything we worked for over the years. I am using this medium to call on the state government to help us. People have lost their livelihood, as well as properties. The government should help us.”
Recall that the crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities that escalated on the 27th of January, led to loss of lives and property, and the cordoning off of the communities by the military.
The fate of the larger population of Okuama community still remains unclear as the military continues its siege. (Delta State News Bulletin)
