Rumuekpe, Obelle Conflicts: NEMA Urges Urgent Intervention

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has raised alarm over squabbles in Rumuekpe and Obelle communities in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State and called for urgent intervention from international bodies, corporate companies, states and federal governments following the massive destruction that occurred as a result of intra-communal conflicts.
The South South Co-ordinator of NEMA, Mr. Umesi Emenike who raised alarm and made this known last Friday said about 214 persons died in the clashes while more than 867 houses were destroyed in Rumuekpe and Obelle all in Emohua Local Government Area.
The Tide gathered that the intra-communal conflict resulted from leadership struggle and village cult squabbles between 2005 and May 2009 respectively which rendered the communities disaster areas.
Emenike said that in Rumuekpe’s eight villages, 800 houses were completely destroyed while 67 houses were raised down at Obelle.
The co-ordinator of the Agency advised the indigenes of the warring communities on the need to embrace peace, stressing that without peaceful disposition of the people, very little can be achieved by the relief Agency.
The NEMA official further disclosed that the late visit to the communities was due to security problems pointing out that, the were afraid of being attacked by miscreants who may mistake their mission as being negative.
According to him, we felt such visit was unsafe since the security of people were not also guaranteed. “But now that they have embraced amnesty offered, by the federal government, it gave us the opportunity to come”.
Dr. Emenike Ehirim a member of Obelle community commended NEMA for the disaster assessment team and called for urgent assistance. He said people of Obelle fled their homes while many lost properties during the crisis.