We Have Forgiven Them Says Oyibode As Egiegi Youths Return From Self-Exile.

Some youths from Egiegi Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State who reportedly went into self-exile for several months following a leadership crisis in the community have returned and appealed for forgiveness from the Executive Chairman of Udu Local Government Council, Olorogun(Hon.), Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode, JP, FCIA and other persons they offended.

The youths were declared wanted by security agencies over allegations bordering on assault, destruction of properties and breach of peace in the community. They were accused of attacking the President of Egiegi Community, vandalizing his residence and vehicle as well as destroying properties belonging to other persons worth millions of naira.

The repentant youths, accompanied by Egiegi Community stakeholders, visited the Council Chairman at his office in Otor-Udu yesterday Monday, May 11, 2026, where they pleaded for reconciliation and promised to turn a new leaf and obey constituted authorities and government directives.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Udu Council boss, Oyibode described the gathering as “a meeting of unity and love,” noting that the prolonged crisis had negatively affected peace and development in Egiegi Community. According to him, the local government security committee had earlier intervened after reports of violence, attacks on community leaders and disruption of leadership structures in the community.

He said the youths had now realized their mistakes and sought forgiveness from both the community and the local government authorities.

Oyibode disclosed that some of the youths had been in hiding for almost five months, while others were already in prison custody. He added that discussions were ongoing to facilitate reconciliation and possibly secure the release of those in detention.

The Council Chairman further revealed that all parties involved in the crisis had agreed to maintain peace and loyalty to the leadership of the community pending the expiration of the current leadership tenure in June next year.

He assured that a thanksgiving and peace celebration would soon be organized in the community which he promised to personally attend.

Advising other communities, Oyibode stressed the need for peace, unity and orderly conduct, warning against violence arising from leadership tussles.

“There should be love, happiness and orderliness in our communities. People should not fight themselves because of leadership issues,” he said.

The Council Chairman also warned against land grabbing and multiple sales of land, describing the practice as one of the major challenges facing communities in the local government area. He stated that individuals caught selling the same parcel of land to different buyers would face prosecution.

Present at the meeting were: President general of Udu Kingdom, Chief Evangelist Andrew Dorkie, President of Egiegi Community, Chief Avwaekerho Bishop,Hon. Sophia Gbejegbe; Hon. Lawrence Oyeye; the Supervisor for Youths, Sports and Women Affairs, Udu Local Government Council, Comrade Obruche Emmanuel Opuama; Mrs. Ufuoma Ajuwa; the Head of Department, Community Affairs; and other stakeholders.

Press Unit Office of The Executive Chairman of Udu Local Government Council.