By joshua Edo Community Sends SOS To OKpebholo Over Prolonged Crisis
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
Residents of Iyanomon Community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, displaced by a prolonged communal crisis have appealed to the government to urgently intervene and restore peace, lamenting the destruction of their homes, businesses and means of livelihood.
The appeal was made during a peaceful protest, where women and other affected residents called on the authorities to bring the warring parties together and find a lasting solution to the conflict.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs. Aiwekhoe Omon said although no deaths had been recorded in the latest outbreak of violence, residents were traumatized by persistent gunfire and explosions that rocked the community.
“We want peace. Let the government call the two parties together and resolve this issue once and for all. We are the ones suffering,” she said.
According to her, the dispute, which she said remains before the palace and the court, has continued to fuel tension in the community, forcing residents to flee their homes.
Another protester, Mrs. Gift Ewen alleged that the prolonged insecurity had created an enabling environment for criminal activities, including kidnapping, forcing many families to abandon their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.
“I have been living as a tenant for the past one year because there is no peace in my community. We had to leave our homes because of the violence,” she said.
The woman further alleged that her two shops were set ablaze, destroying the business that provided her family’s livelihood.
“They set fire to my two shops where I earn my daily bread. We have lost everything. If we return home today, we will be starting from scratch,” she lamented.
The protesters also claimed that several houses had been vandalized after residents fled, alleging that doors, fittings and other valuables were removed by unknown persons.
They appealed to the state government and relevant authorities to intervene without delay, facilitate reconciliation between the feuding parties and ensure that displaced residents can safely return to their homes.
“We are not taking sides. All we want is peace. We want to go back to our homes and rebuild our lives,” one of the protesters said.
The residents urged the government to treat the situation as a matter of urgency to prevent further deterioration of security and humanitarian conditions in the affected community.
Responding on behalf of the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, Dr. Festus Alenkhe, the Secretary of the council, Mr. Andy Egbon sympathized with them on the destruction suffered in the ongoing conflict.
Alenkhe urged them to go about their protest in a peaceful manner just as he advised them to notify the relevant authorities for immediate actions.