The Ugborodo Community in Warri South-West, Delta State, is calling for the swift prosecution of those responsible for the killing of Emiko Onuwaje, insisting that justice must be served for his family.

Community leaders stated that a prominent indigene would not be allowed to return to Ugborodo until the police identify all suspects and they face trial.

The demand came during a peaceful protest on Monday at Ogidigben, where residents, dressed in black, marched through the streets singing mournful songs and holding leaves as symbols of grief.

“Justice can only be achieved if those behind this killing are brought to book,” said Austin Ajuremisan, Vice Chairman of the Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC) and spokesperson for the Ogidigben Community Council of Elders.

Eyengho Samuel Besidone, UCMC Secretary, emphasized that the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators would help ease community tensions, especially among the youth. He clarified that the killing was unrelated to any communal dispute.

“The man who was killed has children and a family. This is pure murder. Initially, we thought armed men were bandits, but they turned out to be our own brothers claiming to fight for the palace,” Besidone said.

The Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo, Eghare Daniel Uwawah, noted that Onuwaje and other community members were attacked while on their way to a peaceful protest at the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) facility in Ogidigben.

Prominent All Progressives Congress chieftain and Itsekiri leader, Ayirimi Emami, also urged authorities to take decisive action, highlighting that the prime suspect had allegedly confessed involvement in the killing.

Onuwaje’s death over the weekend has escalated tensions within Ugborodo, prompting calls for urgent intervention by security agencies to restore calm and deliver justice.