State Security Service (SSS), yesterday threatened to arrest and detain the Obi of Abavo , His Royal Highness, Uche Erehnuma 11, if he continues to conduct himself in a manner that was capable of breaching the peace , security and good orderliness in the Delta state .
Director, SSS, Delta State command, Mrs. Florence Ikhanonen , it was gathered invited the Abavo Monarch for questioning following a petition filled by Senator Ifeanyi Okowa , challenging his alleged involvement and connection over the siting of a flow station by Pan Occasion oil Nigeria limited in Owa- Alidima, a community in Ika North East Local government area of Delta State.
In attendance at the meeting which held at the SSS Head Quarters in Asaba , were: the Obi of Abavo , Uche Erehnuma 11 , representatives of Pan Occasion Oil Company , led by Felix Uweh , representative of Senator Ifanyi Okowa , Mr Barrister Eugene Azuka Uzum and the Obi of Owa Kindom, His Royal Majesty , Obi Dr. Efeizomor 11 (OON) as well as the Onishe of Ejeme Aniogor, Chief S.N Etieh and village heads in the locality, among others.
Ikhanonen , who chaired the meeting , threatened to arrest the Obi of Abavo if he continues to conduct himself in a manner that will result into break dawn of law and order in his community while urging him to ensure that peace , unity and good governance reigns in his domain.
She also ordered the Monarch to dismantles all the barricade placed on the road that blocked Pan Occasion oil company from entering and carrying out their legitimate operations in Abavo community pending when both parties finalized their memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The Agency, it was also learnt, directed the Monarch to desist from embarking on any protest in and around the state, as that was capable of inciting security breach and break down of law and order in the state.
She urged the communities to settle their difference amicably rather than recourse to violence which she said might not be in the interest of peace and good neighborliness among the people , while urging the Pan Occasion to ensure that the entitlement due to the communities were adequately paid .
But, the touch talking Obi Erehnuma , challenged the Agency to arrest him , saying as long as Pan Occasion Oil Company has renegaded their agreement of siting the flow station in Abavo, they will be no pace as he will not allowed oil company to carry out any exploratory activities. The youthful Monarch also threatened to carry out a demonstration march to the National Assembly to register his protest.
At the meeting the following altercation ensured ; Ikhanonen; “I will arrest you if you do not conduct yourself very well, we have several petitions against you , we are SSS , the company can move into Abavo to carry on with their business , you do not have any right to stop them , you have to allow them do their work , the Federal Government investment is in the project , if you do not allow them , I will arrest you , you are not the first king I have arrested, if you violate the law , you will be arrested, you are not above the law.
Abavo Monarch fired back , “ I will not remove the barricades if the flow station is not relocated to Abavo, if you (SSS) like come and arrest me , I am the king of Abavo, I will carry my protest to the National Assembly and I have instructed my lawyer to go to court to restrain Pan Occasion from carrying out its activities in Abavo, we are not asking them not to drill for oil in Abavo, we are asking them to do the right thing , Abavo is the only viable rig for Pan Occasion, we will not do anything to jeopardize the interest of the Federal government , it is the MD of Pan Occasion that can solve this problem, not his representatives”.
Meanwhile, Pan Occasion representative Felix Uweh explained that the decision to sit the flow station at Owa –Alidinma, in Ika North East local government area was informed by scientific research and expert studies carried out on the soil as the current location was not done under any economic or political consideration but purely scientific , adding that geological survey and expert research investigations has since showed that there are large quantity of oil deposit in Owa land.
He pointed out that Pan Occasion , as part of its corporate social responsibilities has executed water projects in both Abavo and Owa communities and its environs , adding that large sums of money has equally been paid to the people of Abavo for its explorative activities in the community. He appealed that the blockage be removing to enable it resume work.
In his remarks, His Royal Majesty , Obi Dr. Efeizomor , Obi Of Owa Kindom sued for peace and understanding among communities and the oil company , adding that the people of Abavo and Owa are good neighbors because “ a large number of Abavo indigenes are doing business on Owa land and it’s my duty and responsibility to protect and preserve them”, but warned that “ we stand ready to defend the right and integrity of Owa land in the face of any aggression”
It will be recalled that Obi Erehmuna a fortnight ago stormed Asaba with placards demanding the relocation of Pan Occasion Oil Company’s flow station to his community , alledging that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa was the mastermind of the siting of the flow station in Owa Alidima, but Okowa has since denied the allegation.
