'Enemies Of Progress' Behind Reports Of Shootings, Killings In Warri Community, Says Delta Government

Source: thewillnigeria.com

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 05, (THEWILL) - The Delta State Government has accused 'enemies of progress' of feeding the media with reports of shootings in the Ugborodo and Ogidigben communities in Warri South West Local Government of the State.

The federal government recently approved for construction a multi-billion-dollar gas, petrochemical and fertilizer facility in Ogidigben.

THEWILL had previously reported on Saturday as part of a developing story that armed men stormed Ugborodo shooting indiscriminately at residents, killing and wounding several persons in the process.

The report was based on accounts of two 'witnesses' who contacted a local reporter affiliated to us.

We have however been unable to independently verify the claim by the 'witnesses' and have subsequently withdrawn our earlier developing news story.

Following the report, the Governor of the state, Dr.

Emmanuel Uduaghan had called to debunk the report but confirmed the deployment of security forces to the area on Saturday to strengthen security ahead of the arrival of engineers from Julius Berger to begin work on the multi-billion-dollar facility.

  The Governor added that there was no incident.
'Not one shot was fired,' he affirmed.
The State Government later followed with a detailed press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), saying, ' .

.
Government is aware that some enemies of progress are out to thwart this laudable project of President Goodluck Jonathan which will form the economic bedrock for Nigeria.

' The full text of the statement reads: Re: 'Heavy Shooting In Warri' The attention of the Delta State Govt has been drawn to media reports especially on-line media of heavy shooting in Warri.

The State wishes to state categorically that there has been no shooting of any form in Warri or environ.

In line with the agreement with NNPC for provision of security by the State Govt for the $16b Gas City Project in Ogidigben, the State Security Council at its last meeting in Warri on 30th Dec 2013, directed the security agencies to deploy some forces to the area to ensure the safety of lives and properties as the construction of the project will start in the next few days.

Some of the forces were deployed today, 4th Jan 2014.

None of the forces has had cause to shoot any gun and nobody has been injured or dead.

The State Government is aware that some enemies of progress are out to thwart this laudable project of President Goodluck Jonathan which will form the economic bedrock for Nigeria.

Warri has been very safe and it is on record that there were no insecurity incidence in Warri and other parts of Delta throughout the Christmas or New Year period.

The Government shall not be intimated by anyone and all those spreading such seditious falsehood should desist from it.

All law abiding citizens are advised to go about their normal activities and we shall ensure safety of their lives and properties.

Signed: Secretary to State Government.