Amatu 2 CDC Chairman Appeals for Peace as Violence Threatens Ties with Bilabiri Community

The Community Chairman of Amatu 2 community, Dcn. Ebomowei Peter David, has sounded an urgent alarm over what he described as a deliberate and dangerous attempt to destabilize the long-standing peace between Amatu 2 and Bilabiri communities in the Dodo River area.

In a passionate appeal for calm, Dcn. Ebomowei emphasized that the two neighboring communities have enjoyed peaceful coexistence for generations, with deep familial ties binding them together.

“We have been inter-marrying for time immemorial,” he stated. “Half of Amatu relates to Bilabiri, and half of Bilabiri relates to Amatu. Even when the land dispute began in 1988, our fathers never prepared for war against each other.”

The CDC chairman condemned the recent wave of violence, specifically the two separate attacks launched against Bilabiri community on the 17th and 19th of August, during which gunmen shot sporadically, spreading fear and terror among residents. He identified the alleged perpetrators as Man Job and First-boy Job, whom he described as operatives working directly under the instruction of Hon. Berry Negerese.

“All that happened was led by Man Job and First-boy Job, who are Hon. Berry’s boys and take direct instructions from him,” Ebomowei stated. “Berry and his boys are fighting for their selfish interest and not for the interest of Amatu 2 community.”

The chairman further revealed that Man Job serves as the coordinator of Tantita Security Services, while his twin brother, First-boy Job, was purposely installed as chairman by Berry Negerese in a bid to undermine his own legitimate leadership. According to Ebomowei, the move was orchestrated because of his refusal to surrender community oil company contracts to Berry.

“Man Job is the coordinator of Tantita Security Services, and his twin brother First-boy Job was purposely made chairman by Berry to fight against my government as the authentic chairman of the community,” he explained. “This is because I seek the development of the community and the people, while he wanted me to sign all oil company contracts to him.”

Dcn. Ebomowei pointed a direct finger at Hon. Berry Negerese, accusing him of being the architect of the growing unrest. According to the community leader, Berry has a history of sowing discord, beginning with an alleged impersonation scheme involving one of a set of twins, a matter he said is already before the courts.

“Berry Negerese has disorganized our community,” Ebomowei alleged. “First, he brought one of the twin brothers to impersonate me against the community’s wish — a matter that is currently in court. Now, he has sponsored a crisis between Amatu 2 and Bilabiri by providing arms and ammunition.”

The chairman further accused Negerese of being a persistent source of friction between oil companies operating in the area and the host communities. He claimed Berry employs a “divide and rule” strategy to corner contracts that rightfully belong to the benefiting communities.

“Berry is the one behind the problem between all oil companies and the people,” Ebomowei asserted. “He creates division to hijack all the contracts that should benefit the communities.”

The CDC chairman vowed not to allow the current tensions to escalate under his leadership. “I will not allow that on my watch as the CDC chairman of Amatu 2 community,” he declared. “Every responsible person from both communities must choose peace over conflict. We must make peace rather than set war against each other.”

Reiterating his commitment to peace, Dcn. Ebomowei called on security agencies and the state government to intervene swiftly to restore order and ensure that those responsible for the attacks face justice.

“I want peace in my community,” he said. “I call on the security authorities and the state government to come in, restore peace, and arrest and prosecute anyone involved in the attack.”