By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Ekhor -Nuwaya community in Uhunwonde local government areas of Edo State have appealed to Edo state government,the Benin Monarch,His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II and other relevant security agencies to come to their aid over alleged attack on them and subsequent killing of an indigene by the people of Ekhor-Noguokhuan community
The Ozukpogieva, Pa Iruogbetin Edokpayi made the appeal while speaking to the press on the development bothering on unlawful possession of Ekhor-Nuwaya’s community land
He said the height of the illegalities by the people of Ekhor-Noguokhuan community came to the open when they openly attacked them in their community land which rightfully belong to Ekhor-Nuwaya and shooting sparodically as if there was war thereby allegedly killing an indigene,Mr Saturday Idahosa
According to him, I the land in question belong to the Ekhor-Nuwaya from time immemorial and that they were surprised when the people of the neighbouring community , Ekhor-Noguokhuan had to bypass the boundary into Ekhor-Nuwaya’s land and claiming it belongs them and started selling what is not theirs.
Also speaking the Okaighele,Igie Jacob Erhunmuomana said the people are pained as a result of the alleged killing of their brother and they the people of Ekhor-Noguokhuan without showing remorse for the life that was lost , progress further and went to the boundary which belong to Ekhor-Nuwaya and started working there ,daring the people that they can not do anything .
“We are not in a lawless society,we are law abiding and peaceful citizens, and we are going to emplore every legal means to bring the perpetrator of the distardly killing of one of our own to book”
On the issues of boundary ,Com. Ojo Nosakhare Obazee said Ekhor-Nuwaya has boundary with Emuhun, Ekhor-Noguokhuan,(Ekhor-Nokhokho), Ekhorniro Aduhahan and Ekhor-Nidunolu ,they have been living peacefully from time immemorial but because of development the people of Ekhor-Noguokhuan and Emuhun are now laying claim to Ekhor-Nuwaya’s land adding that they will follow the legitimate process to makesure that which belong to them is not taken from them.
He pointed out that the people of Ekhor-Nuwaya does not believe in violence but that they cannot just fold their hands to allow somebody from no where to acquire where their fathers have farmed over the years adding that there is the Palace of the great Oba that administer these area of authorities and if there is anything contrary ,they always go to the Palace to sort it out or otherwise there are court of competent jurisdiction were such matters are heard and settled amicably.
Com Ojo Nosakhare Obazee while putting the record straight said multiple sales of land is forbidden in Ekhor-Nuwaya ,what they do once a property is acquired by an individual or transfer to an individual based on the authorities of the elders in the community,then all right and privileges have been transferred to such individual or group of persons and when any person is found doing such thing ,whatever goes with it that person will have to take
While urging the people to remain peaceful as they have been ,he noted that with time justice will take it course ,expecially as the issue of the alleged killing of Mr Saturday Idahosa is before the Government.