From Edo Elvis, Benin
The inhabitants of Oke-Oroma Village in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State are seeking Police intervention and protection over alleged impending plans by neighboring Amagba and Obazagbon Villages to promote Communal Unrest.
Oke-Oroma in a petition addressed through their Solicitor, to the Commissioner of Police Edo State Command and made available to Newsmen, stressed that inhabitants of the community had become weary of alleged imminent plans by the said neighboring villages whom reportedly are in connection with top Government functionaries to invade them in the guise of searching for the fleeing Inmates of the recent jail breaks in the state which they claimed to have taken up refuge at Oke-Oroma Village.
Recall that the leadership of Oke-Oroma had received similar threats of attack from the aforementioned Villages which was however, documented and presently being investigated at the AIG Zone Five, Benin after the said attacks were successfully carried out by same villages.
According to the Solicitor, the decision to explore this means is connected to a continuation of past several incidents of attack, particularly, the dreaded one on February 19, 2020, allegedly orchestrated by same neighboring villages against the people of Oke-Oroma which left many dead, Properties worth millions destroyed in the Process.
The Solicitor affirmed that, peace was gradually returning to Oke-Oroma and inhabitants settling down after the turbulent crisis that almost consumed the population of the village when a new one is being allegedly hatched by the neighboring Amagba and Obazagbon to ferment another looming crisis which could portray the image of the state in bad light if nothing is done to arrest the looming crisis.
Several persons from the neighboring villages were called out to had masterminded the past attacks that drew the attention of the authority for interventions following similar Petitions from the victimized and oppressed Oke-Oroma over lingering boundary dispute.
However, the petition reads as part; “That on Saturday, November 7, 2020, some youths of our clients neighboring villages, Amagba and Obazagbon started jubilation, shooting guns into the air, shouting and boasting to the hearing of our clients that they have the backing of top Government official who had given them clearances to seize our clients Village”.
“While the jubilation and chanting rented the air, the thugs confirmed that, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, PA Joseph Iduoriyekemwen,Peter
Erhimwinose, (Ebo Amagba) Joshua Edo and his other cohorts had met with top Government official to help, said villages, apply and secure armed Policemen to accompany them into our clients Village in the guise of rearresting absconded Inmates of the Benin and Oko Prisons who are not even in their Community; thereby, using it as a medium to commit and or accomplished the intended crimes as planned by Amagba with the help of Obazagbon Village whose aim is to wipe out the leadership of our client’s Community in other to have full control of same”.
“This plan came up again, after our clients revealed the two villages initial plans through it petition dated September 2, 2020, to exploit through the recently conducted Governorship Election of September 19, 2020, as medium to enter into our clients Community and cause mayhem Afterwards”.
The Solicitor, however, urged the Police authority to intervene and stop the allegation of intending crimes in the locality.
Meanwhile, responding to the allegation, one of the accused and prime suspect, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, said it was a ploy by those he claims to be detractors to smear his name and integrity.
He denied envisaging such and warned of possible legal actions instituted against them if they continue in that light.
Meanwhile, responding to the allegation, one of the accused, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, admitted to have informed the state government of the activities around the Village.
He noted that, “the level of kidnapping activities have become alarming, and would be unfair to let criminal activities continue without firm attention”.
I can’t denied what I said. I was the one who alerted the authority about criminal events there. I was accused by the authority of letting criminal operate unhurt. I told them those criminal elements are not from Amagba but from nearby Village. By reporting their activities, I don’t think it’s wrong
He disclosed that those who engaged in such act ploy are detractors who wants to smear his name and integrity.