By Okhide Em’ya David
Kalasuo of Okomu Kingdom, Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, Beri Apoi Okee Ogudumu III has alerted the Nigeria Army, Edo State Government and Police, of an alleged threat by one Captain K O Sumonu, attached to Okomu Oil Palm PLC to burn down his Kingdom over an alleged killing of a Soldier.
The alert was contained in a petition to the Commander, 4 Brigade Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Benin, Brigadier General U M Bello; Governor of Edo, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone five, Mr. Shola Davies, and Heads of other Security Agencies.
He appealed to the authorities to urgently prevail on Captain Sumonu and restrain him from carrying out his threat against his kingdom.
Beri Apoi, in the petition titled: “Alleged attack on a Soldier and threat to burn down our Communities,” stated that his Palace “received with shock a hand-written letter (Copy, attached to the Petition) signed” by Captain K O Sumonu, Officer Commanding, attached to Okomu Oil Palm PLC, dated October 26, 2020.
Beri Apoi said the letter from the Captain referenced the death of a soldier and a missing weapon, with the threat to burn down all Okomu Communities if the missing weapon, and the culprits allegedly responsible for the alleged crime are not produced by him.
The Traditional Ruler who expressed deep condolence to the 4 Brigade Nigeria Army, said ordinarily he would not have responded to such a hand-written letter without an address, which claimed to be from an officer of the Nigerian Army, a very respected Institution, but because of his high regard for the Military, as well as being a retired assistant superintendent of police.
The Kalasuo of Okomu Kingdom said he and his entire Traditional Council strongly condemn the attack in totality and appealed for calm and seek the cooperation of the Army for them to work together to ensure that the perpetuators of the devilish act are brought to book in no distant time.
He said the good news is the claim by Captain K O Sumonu via a Message he sent to him through two of his Subjects, Chief Pinawei Deun and Hon. Peretei Omokachi, special assistant to Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on water way security, that somebody came to confess to him confidentially that he knows the identity of the culprits and where the missing gun is buried.
Beri Apoi said this finding is working information if the alleged attack is true but wondered why the captain has refused to make any arrest or disclose the identity of the culprits instead of resorting to threats of burning down the entire Communities.
He said this attitude has given him reason to suspect foul play and another ploy, amongst many previous stunts by Okomu Oil Palm PlC to hoodwink the public, get empathy and divert attention from their earlier petition to President Mohammadu Buhari, which the Edo State Police Command is already investigating.
He observed that as a retired Assistant Inspector of Police, he and his subjects are peace loving, and by law abiding disposition, with regards to rule of Law, have decided to toe the line of peaceful legal approach to channel their grievances, despite constant provocation unleashed on their Communities by the management of Okomu Oil Palm PLC.
He listed such previous provocations to include a publication in the Nigerian Observer (page 26) on January 30, 2015, that Okomu people want to kill the Oba of Benin and remove all the Benin People from the Area.
Beri Apoi drew attention to recent arson or burning down of Ijaw- Gbini Community on of May 20, 2020, as well as forceful eviction of, demolition of houses, properties and farm lands with brute force while no compensation is paid, coupled with pollution of the river with Agro-Toxins , all in the guise that the company has a certificate of occupancy.
He also listed prevention and seizure of fishing traps from women who use the river for their livelihood, and recalled an incident on January 17 2009, where some soldiers on expedition to harvest fishing traps on the river had their boat capsized and a soldier got drowned and died.
He added that men in the Community had to search, and found the body of the Soldier and the gun and delivered them to the Nigerian Army.
The Monarch cited constant locking and blockage of the only access road to and from Okomu communities which was stopped by the Commander of the Joint Task Force, Major General, Atewe and Commander 4 mechanized Brigade, Brigadier Laleye, noting that since this purported attack the road has been blocked completely.
He said since the above mentioned provocations they have not thrown any stone at the management of Okomu Oil Palm PLC, because of their strong belief in the rule of law, hence it was shocking to accuse his community of an alleged attack, and threats to burn down the area.
He added that since Captain Sumonu has been on his duty post for the past eighteen years there has never been any attack on them and wondered why now.
Beri Apoi pleaded with the Authorities to compel Captain Sumonu to produce and arrest the persons who have made confessional statements to enable all stakeholders get to the root of the matter, expressing absolute belief that the action will help them in unraveling the facts surrounding the alleged attack.
As at the time of this report, the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army has not made any official statement on the petition as the Public Relations officer, Major Ojo Adenega has not said anything concerning the issue.
When this reporter called to book appointments he said he was busy. He also has not replied to text Messages sent to him on his phone.
Alltimepost.com will however publish any response from the 4 Brigade, Nigeria Army as soon as it is made available.
