By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
About 6:31pm on Monday October 5, 2020, armed youths lurked inside cars strategically parked in and around the premises of the community head (Odionwere) of Obagie N’ evbosa community in Ikpoba-okha local government area of Edo State.
As our reporter and his colleague approached some middle-aged men who sat close to a car, aggressive looking armed youths emerged from the vehicles smoking weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
“Wetin you say you want? Look! boys nor get joy for this community oh! You say you be journalists, Odionwere don enter house.” One of the armed men shouted at us.
Throwing caution to the winds, we attempted further to seek audience with the Odionwere, suddenly, deafening gunshots from a pump action gun hit the air. Then, we cautiously left the community.
Driving from neighboring Ogheghe community before the Odionwere residence laid on both sides of the express road, relics of burnt and vandalized exotic cars.
On two streets in the community were two private residential buildings set ablaze by the rampaging youths.
Three residents of the community identified as Chigozie Emenike, 28, Osahenrumwen Francis and Sunday Bright, 27 were said to have sustained varying degrees of bullet wounds.
Narrating his ordeal on his hospital bed, Chigozie Emenike said one of the protesters opened fire on him during the rampage.
He explained that he was at his shop in the community when he heard them shouting “Ekinaye must go! Ekinaye must go.”
“I was not their target, I just came out of my shop to see what was happening…I saw who shot me, I am not suspecting…he is popularly known in the community as ‘Popori,’ Mr. Chigozie stated.
A commercial motorcycle rider said the community was engulfed in crisis over the seat of youth leader (Okaighele).
Another resident who identified himself simply as Noah explained that the removal of the Okaighele Mr. Festus Ekinaye Edegbe and his replacement with one Malu triggered the violence.
He maintained that the crisis had forced many out of their homes as gunshots were yet to cease in parts of the community.
Noah said it was unbelievable that armed youths could lay siege to such an urban settlement without any challenge from security operatives in the state.
Contacted on the phone, the said substantive youth leader? (Okaighele) Mr. Aigbedo Emmanuel a.k.a Malu said “I will call you back immediately” as he ended our reporter’s call abruptly. He was yet to call back at press time.
Further efforts to obtain his comments were unsuccessful as he remained evasive since last Tuesday.
However, the embattled Okaighele Mr. Festus Ekinaye Edegbe said he was made Okaighele on April 20, 2018.
He stated that ever since he had been made to contend with series of allegations by some youths who wanted to unseat him by all means possible.
Mr. Edegbe explained further that these youths are members and loyalists of the proscribed Community Development Association (CDA) whose motive is to return Obagie N’evbosa to the dark days of oppression and criminality.
“On April 29, 2020 I was alleged to have sold a land for N6 million without letting anybody know of it and that I should be made to leave the office.
“Nobody called me, nobody interviewed me, then I was suspended by the Enogie of the community where as is the Odionwere that has the right over the Okaighele not the Enogie.
“A week after, he replaced me with another Okaighele…” He stated.
Mr. Edegbe added that his antagonists thereafter sent operatives of the Edo State Special Anti-robbery Squad, SARS, Anti-cultism, and Anti-kidnapping after him and his loyalists in the community.
He explained that after several attacks and arrests based on frivolous petitions against him, he approached the Inspector General of Police in Abuja and the high court in Benin City.
“The Enogie said he has not done anything with me. I printed my account details and submitted relevant evidence.
“It was discovered that over N30 million was transferred to Enogie’s account.
“The court restrained the Enogie and every other person from entering my 134 plots, imposing another Okaighele on me.
“The court also restrained the police that in this case, the police should not be used to intimidate, harass or embarrass me pending the hearing of this suit in motion,” the embattled Okaighele stated.
He however noted that few days after the court pronouncements, he was rearrested just as the youths continued their onslaught on him and his supporters.
“Ever since they have been troubling me saying the injunction is fake.
“The police and others would face contempt of court charge when court returns from break,” he stressed.
Mr. Edegbe explained that those hospitalized were his loyalists and the property destroyed belong to him and his supporters.
He appealed to governments, Oba palace and relevant authorities to intervene as impunity and disrespect for constituted authorities have become a norm in Obagie N’ evbosa community.
The Duke (Enogie) of Obagie N’evbosa dukedom HRH Stephen Usiemwanta Imadonmwanyi was not in his office when our reporter visited to obtain his comments on the crisis rocking his community.
Contacted, the Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command SP Chidi Nwabuzor said investigation into the crisis was ongoing.
He explained that the commissioner of police, Edo State CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo had advised the Enogie on ways to restore peace among his subjects.
SP Nwabuzor however assured that the police command would not leave any stone unturned to ensure adequate security for all law-abiding persons in the state.
Obagie N’evbosa community located on kilometre 10, Off Benin-Sepele road, Benin City has severally been engulfed in inter and intra communal crises.
Among them was the invasion of the community by three neighboring communities identified by the locals as Amagba, Okhoromi and Obazagbon in early April, 2018.
During the siege, one Mr. Sunday Uduware, 42 was gunned down while Mr. Favour Sunday and many others sustained bullet wounds.
The rampaging attackers also destroyed property worth millions of Naira as women and children were reportedly chased to the bushes.
It was scooped that the terror was over a boundary dispute settled by Oba palace in favor of Obagie N’ evbosa community in 2012.
Similarly, aggrieved youths of the community reportedly staged a wild protest against alleged high-handedness of the then Okaighele Mr. Festus Ekinaye Edegbe in August 2019.
He however denied the allegation insisting that the protest was orchestrated by those eyeing his office.
It however took the prompt intervention of the Enogie HRH Stephen Usiemwanta, Odionwere Pa Aiguobatile Okungbowa to pacify the youths.
The Enogie had on September 1, 2019 summoned all the parties to a well-attended meeting at the elders chamber (Oguedion) where they all voiced their feelings.
The Enogie had assured them of support and promised to ensure that the Okaighele abides by the rules and regulations of his office.
He then placed the Okaighele on six-month probation which started on September 1, 2019 to May 2020.
HRH said the decision was to allow him look into allegations raised against him and if eventually found wanting, he would be replaced by interested person.
Among the attendees were the Odionwere of the community Pa Aiguobatile Okungbowa; Hon. Friday Ogierhiakhi, Secretary to the community; Mr. Mathew Erhunmwunse, Mr. Aigbedo Emmanuel and Mr. Uyi Igiebor.
It could not be ascertained at press time whether the embattled Okaighele was relieved of his duties based on the outcome of Enogie’s investigation or not.
Meanwhile, Mr. Festus Ekinaye Edegbe insists he remains the Okaighele of Obagie N’ evbosa community.
