By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Enogie (Duke) of Ukhiri Community in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State, Mr Godwin Aigbe has been hospitalized and reportedly placed on danger list after armed men invaded his palace and physically attacked him.
The assailants were said to have inflicted varying degrees of injuries on the traditional ruler said to be on danger list at an undisclosed hospital in Benin City.
Some persons including the Enogie’s subjects were also wounded as property worth several thousands of Naira were razed by the rampaging armed men.
Among other property vandalized at the Enogie’s palace included two deep freezers and five vehicles.
Sources close to his palace disclosed that the attack is not unconnected to the lingering dispute between Ukhiri and neighboring Ulegun Communities over 222 hectares of land.
Alltimepost.com gathered that the land dispute which dates back to 1975 is now before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Some members of Ukhiri Community alleged that the attackers were Ulegun people who invaded the palace while they were awaiting celebration of Igue festival to kick off in Ukhiri.
The source said trouble started after the Enogie of Ukhiri Mr Godwin Aigbe allegedly sold a portion of land belonging to Ulegun community to a developer.
Some members of Ulegun community were said to have also sustained bullets wounds in the crisis as they were receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital in Benin City.
Unconfirmed sources hinted that the Enogie of Ukhiri Mr Godwin Aigbe had since been discharged from the hospital.
Attempts to obtain comments from Ulegun community failed at press time.
Edo Police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the attack and denied reports that the Enogie is dead.
He said efforts were on to arrest the perpetrators.
