By IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
A Socio- Cultural Group, the
Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) Worldwide, have called on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately rearrest the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Asteruleghe and others currently facing an alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder charges of Sunny Eitche, Okomoise Omorodion and Genesis Ogie in 2020 where he (Johnson Asteruleghe) is presently granted bail on health grounds.
According to press statement issued and signed by Elder Comrade Curtis Eghosa Ugbo and Ms. Esohe Adun
President and Ag. Secretary General-Benin Solidarity Movement BSM Worldwide respectively said that Chief Johnson Asteruleghe and his boys have no moral justification to invade the Ologbo community and started their acts against the innocent people in Ologbo Dukedom again.
“We members of the Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) Worldwide will not continue to fold our hands and allow the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Asteruleghe and his boys to continue their demonic operate freely in Ologbo Dukedom in Benin Kingdom cum Edo State.
“We are hereby using this medium to call on all relevant authorities, specifically the Nigeria Police Force Edo State Command, to immediately arrest Johnson Asteruleghe and his gang involved in this dastardly acts as well as the Edo State Government through the Edo State Judiciary cum DPP to immediately cancel/terminate the bail granted the said Johnson Asteruleghe and others over the alleged murder of the Late Sunny Eitche before they kidnap and murder other innocent citizens resident in Ologbo Dukedom.
“We also want to call on the Oba of Benin Kingdom through the Benin Traditional Council to as a matter of urgent importance, inform the Olu of Itsekiri’s in Warri to immediately withdraw the Chieftaincy title given to the Johnson Asteruleghe or take him out of Benin Kingdom/Edo State and his home in Warri Kingdom/Delta State before it gets out of hand that may lead to the breakdown of law and order in Ologbo Dukedom in Benin Kingdom Edo State.
“We say “Enough is Enough, and a stitch in time saves nine,” the statementt concluded.
Meanwhile, there is palpable tension in Ologbo Community in Ikpoba Okhai local government area of Edo State following alleged assault of some persons including an 84year old woman and another hospitalized by some indigenes loyal to the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Asteruleghe over a certain festival normally held by the Itsekiris residing in the community.
Trouble started when a rival group stormed the festival ground challenging their authority to hold the festival without the consent of the Ityasere.
This didn’t go down well with the other group who felt since there was an Enogie on the ground in Ologbo Dukedom and having approved, it was not proper to get other clearance from any other quarter.
This however ignited crisis which led to alleged manhandling of some indigenes.
Narrating her ordeal, the 84 year old woman Mrs. Grace Tite Keke alleged that loyalists of Ityasere of Warri, Johnson Asteruleghe pounced on her having not satisfied with the Festival processes.
She said those who came to rescue her and sympathized with her were not spared as they also got their share of the beating from the dreaded loyalists of Chief Johnson Asteruleghe.
One Mr. Patrick is still lying critically in the hospital as a result of the injury sustained.
Reacting to the development, Chief Johnson Asteruleghe Via Telephone described the allegation as false and as a calculated attempt to tarnish his reputation.
However, investigation revealed that luck ran out of one of the said loyalists of Chief Johnson Asteruleghe who has allegedly been in the wanting list of the police as he was apprehended by the militarypp where progressive lighting when you get the chance my phone back something back and I love you on patrol in Ologbo.
Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Kotongs Bello said he is yet to be briefed on the development.