Information reaching our news desk has it that the cold war between two factions of Keke riders association operating at Okporo Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has degenerated into open fight that has left one person dead, many injured and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
The victim, we learnt was identified as Clement Elewa. The incidence we learnt has drawn the attention of Governor Nyesom Wike who gave directive to the traditional ruler of the community, HRM Eze Morgan Amadi to wade into the matter immediately.
The Okporo/Okwurusi Traditional Rulers Council of Chiefs consequently suspends the activities of the two factional leaders of the group.
Eze Amadi also announced the appointment of Comrade Henry Ohia as the substantive chairman of the Okporo/Okwurusi Keke Management Committee whose committee membership were drawn from the three major communities of the kingdom including Rumuodara, Eliowhani and Mgbueslaru.
Addressing the warring factional members over the weekend at his palace, Eze Ohna Okporo/Okwuru kingdom, HRM Eze Morgan Amadi said the dissolution and subsequent appointment of the Keke management committee were part of the recommendation of the arbitration panel set up by the community to resolve the impasses.
The monarch however disclosed that those whose properties were destroyed would be compensated as well as support in paying the hospital bills of the injured. He added that the community decided to intervene into the matter following Gov Wike’s directives for them to arrest the situation to avoid further degenerate of the matter.
HM Eze Amadi further warned that the community would no longer tolerate any criminal act capable of jeopardizing the existing peace and orderliness in the community, saying Okporo Okwurusi would continue to accommodate those whose businesses or activities does not threaten the peaceful co-existence of the kingdom.
According to the government recognized traditional ruler, “blessed are the peace makers. Our happiness is that the two factional leaders accepted our peace effort for the matter to be settled amicably so that those affected can continue with their life because we are one indivisible family,” he explained.
He noted that although life lost can never come back hence the need for all involved to accept the decision of the community in the interest of peace and social harmony.
King Amadi assured that Okporo Okwurusi traditional institution would always ensure peaceful coexistence of different tribes living and doing business in the kingdom.
Earlier, Okporo Okwuru keke management committee chairman, Comr. Henry Ohia assured that his committee would never disappoint the trust reposed on them.
Comr. Ohia who doubles as the National Youth President Okporo Okwurusi kingdom also advised the keke factional leaders to embrace peace as directed by the traditional rulers to enable the community move on.
All those who spoke commended Eze Oha Okporo Okwurusi in council for its sense of responsibility in settling the matter amicably.
