Emami Demands Justice Following Brutal Mob Killing of Warri Leader

The calm of Warri South-West Local Government Area was shattered over the weekend by the violent demise of Emiko Onuwaje, a respected community leader whose life was cut short by an enraged mob. In the wake of this tragedy, Ayirimi Emami, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, has issued a forceful call to action, demanding that security agencies launch an immediate and exhaustive manhunt for those responsible.

Emami, visibly shaken by the incident, visited the bereaved family on Monday to offer his condolences and assess the situation firsthand. He described the murder as a deeply regrettable and fundamentally unacceptable act of barbarism. The fact that such a lethal assault could be carried out by fellow community members over what were described as minor differences has sent shockwaves through the region.

The APC chieftain lamented the breakdown of communal brotherhood, questioning how a society built on shared heritage could descend into such inhumane violence. He stressed that regardless of the provocation or the nature of the dispute, extrajudicial killings and mob justice have no place in a civilized society. For Emami, the death of Onuwaje is not just a loss for one family, but a stain on the collective conscience of the Ugborodo Federated Communities.

Addressing the heightened tensions in the area, Emami made a passionate appeal to the residents of Ugborodo to resist the urge for reprisal attacks. He urged them to remain calm and law-abiding, warning that a cycle of vengeance would only lead to a total breakdown of law and order. Such an escalation, he noted, would serve no one and would certainly not bring the deceased back to life.

Instead of further violence, the community has been tasked with a different kind of unity. Emami called on the indigenes of Ugborodo to collaborate with authorities to identify and purge criminal elements from their midst. He argued that the safety of the community depends on the willingness of its people to reject those who hide behind “criminal tendencies” to disrupt the peace.

The timing of the killing is particularly painful for the region’s leadership. Emami pointed out that significant efforts are currently underway to accelerate infrastructure and economic development across the Ugborodo Federated Communities. He warned that acts of lawlessness provide a justification for the government and investors to withdraw, thereby undermining the hard-fought progress intended to benefit the entire population.

“I urge our people to remain calm and allow the police and other law enforcement agencies to get to the root of the killing of this innocent man,” Emami stated during his visit. He emphasized that the primary objective must be a thorough investigation that “fishes out” every individual who participated in the mob action. For the chieftain, anything short of a legal prosecution would be a failure of the justice system.

The cry from the bereaved family and the wider community is one for justice, not chaos. Emami reiterated that the state must prove its ability to protect its citizens by ensuring that those who take the law into their own hands face the maximum consequences. He believes that a swift and transparent judicial process is the only way to restore confidence in the local security apparatus.

As security operatives begin their investigation, there is an underlying fear that the incident could stall ongoing peace-building initiatives in the Niger Delta. Emami, however, remains resolute, asserting that the actions of a few individuals should not be allowed to derail the developmental aspirations of the many. He urged the government not to be deterred by the incident but to view it as a reason to strengthen its presence in the area.

The death of Emiko Onuwaje serves as a grim reminder of the volatility that can erupt when local grievances are left to simmer without mediation. By calling for a manhunt, Emami is setting a precedent that the “brotherhood” of the community does not provide a shield for murder. The eyes of the state are now on the Delta State Police Command to see how quickly they can restore order and deliver the justice Emami is demanding.

The situation remains delicate, with security forces reportedly increasing their visibility in and around Warri South-West to prevent any further outbreaks of violence. For now, the community waits for answers, hoping that the call for justice will be answered with the arrest of those who turned a minor disagreement into a fatal tragedy.