Oil production: Traditional ruler alleges threat to his palace

The traditional ruler of Abavo in Delta State has raised the alarm over attempt by some of his subjects to set his palace on fire.Obi Uche Irenuma II, who also alleged plan to kidnap the queen mother, said attempts were made on the palace twice, but were repelled.Receiving the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Taiwo Lekanu, in his palace, Obi Irenuma 11 said crises started in the community when an America-based indigene of the community started laying claim to the stool as a result of production of oil in the community by PAN Ocean.The Obi said the youth carried coffins around the town to stir up crises.While calling for peace to reign, the monarch said anybody laying claim to the stool should seek redress in the law court.The Obi prayed that the production of oil in the community should be a blessing rather than a curse, adding that for the past 15 years he had been on the throne without anybody laying claim to the stool until recently.Earlier, the Deputy Police Commissioner warned the warring factions to distance themselves from any criminal act that could cause chaos in the community.According to him, several persons had been consumed in other places in matters relating to stool tussle and wished the people to embrace peace by following the due process in their grievances.The police boss said the policemen stationed in the community were not on the side of anybody but to ensure peaceful co-existence.The commissioner said he had spoken to the other faction and that the youth had assured him of a peaceful conduct, but warned that the police would use every reasonable force to ensure that peace reigned in Abavo kingdom.Contrary to media report (not the Nigerian Tribune) that several houses had been burnt and over 30 persons dead, our correspondent, who was in the community, reports that no single house was razed or anybody killed, while economic activities thrived accordingly.
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