Alleged Attack: Edo community protests, seeks Oba, Govt, security intervention
By Elvis Omoregie
The women and youths of Obagie N’ Evbuosa community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, has cried out to the Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, the Palace of the Oba of Benin, and the Security Agencies to urgently come to their aid and investigate the activities of a former youth leader (Okhaghele) of the community, Mr Festus Ekenaiye Edegbe.
They alleged that he is orchestrating various crimes against the people of the community.
The women in their large numbers made the cry during a protest march on Thursday to the elders council to register their displeasure over what they described as incessant harassment of the people by the police and other heinous crimes orchestrated by one Festus Ekenaiye, a former youth leader (Okhaghele) of the community against the people of the community.
They alleged that, Obagie N’ Evbuosa that was once a peaceful community has suddenly become a troubled land for children, the youths and elders, all because of the former youth leader who continued to sponsor various attacks against them, which includes kidnapping, police harassment and many more.
Speaking for the protesters, Mrs Anthonian Igbinedion, the daughter of second in command (Ozukpogieva) in the community alleged that, they no longer sleep at night, or go to farm, market or open their shops for businesses owing to the fear of being attacked.
“Nobody sleeps at night again, no one walked around again, we can’t go to the market, farm or open our shops. This is not the only Obagie in Edo state. We’re begging the Oba, the State Government and security agencies to please help us return peace to Obagie and rescue us from the hands of Ekenaiye Festus Edegbe.
“We came out today to protest against Ekenaiye, the son of Edegbe. He’s not the first to serve as youth leader (Okhaghele) in Obagie community. More than four persons have held the position before him after spending three to four years, they will step down for other person, but for him after spending seven years and nine months, he refused to step down.
“The palace has spoken to him, the community has spoken to him, he said he will not listen. Now, he is attacking our people and wasting our money,” she alleges.
Also speaking, Mrs Enofe Enogie, alleged that, since the said Ekenaiye became youth leader in the community, there has been no peace any more in the community and now they have a new youth leader (Okhaghele) the person of Uyi Igiebor who is doing everything to develop the community and restore peace to the people.
“We are calling on the State Government to come and help us so that our new Okhaghele can develop the community,” she said .
Receiving the protesters on behalf of the elders of the community, one of the secretaries to the community, Mr. Kennedy Edokpolor appreciated the protesters for the peaceful demonstration and advised them not to worry that the elders, Odionwere, Enogie and the entire community are with them in the protest, that everything will soon come to an end.
“We the elders thank you for the peaceful demonstration and as you can see, most of the elders aren’t around and it is this same thing they are pursuing in town, all because of the atrocity and problem Festus Edegbe has put the community.
“So, we are assuring you that the end will soon be seen and the end is approaching and we assure you that we shall soon see the end,” he assured.
Mr Edokpolor said the palace has taken a decision and the elders have also taken a decision to install another youth leader (Okhaghele), the person of Uyi Igiebor, saying the people loved him.
The new youth leader Okhaghele of the community Mr Uyi Igiebor, advised the women to remain calm that they are all one and peace will return soon to the community.
He said he didn’t make himself the youth leader (Okhaghele), but the decision of the Odionwere and the palace of the Oba of Benin and it should bind everybody in the community.
Reacting to the allegations, Mr Festus Edegbe Ekenaiye denied all the allegations and said the matter is before the palace of the Oba of Benin.
