By. Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The People of Obarentin Community In Ikpoba Okha local government area Of Edo state have debunked the alleged rumor by the former Okaighele Of the Community ,Osagiede Osarobo that he was forced out of the community by thugs led by Osabuohien Uhumwagho and installed himself as the okaighele.
Pa Emmanuel Afuwa , an elder in the Community who spoke on behalf of the community ,said, that there was never crisis in the community as they have been leaving peacefully.
According to him, “we the elders and the people of Obarentin are peace loving people. We put Ambassador Osabuohien Uhumwagho as the Okaighele . Osarobo Osagiede was never the Okaghiele, we the elders have summoned Osarobo to come on Saturday the 15th Of July 2023 , to explain to us where he got the allegations of gun attack against him in the Community.”
He stated that there was never crisis or gun attacks in the Community, no thugs invaded our community.
Also speaking on the alleged attack, Mrs Comfort Omokaro said , Osagiede Osarobo lied to the general public that gun men attacked him and his supporters and removed him as Okaghiele.
She said, “ the elders and the community people elected Osabuohien as Okaighele, there was never fight over it.
On his part, the last born of the Odionwele Of the Community, Mr Imentinyan Ikponmwosa said , there is no crisis in our Obarentin community. Osarobo is just crying wolf where there is no wolf. The general public should please ingnore him. My father who is the Odionwere frown on the activities of Osagiede Osarobo. he stated.
Ambassador Osabuohien Uhumwagho, who is the present Okaighele of Obarentin Community said he is shocked to hear that Osagiede Osarobo have been going around the town claiming that he was attacked by me and some thugs . That I brought thugs armed with guns to attack him. Nothing like that ever happened.
According to him , Osarobo was only asked to be my assistant by the Community people . He was never the Okaghiele Of the Community.
“I have been the Okaghiele Of Obarentin Community and the people, both the elders and the youths , have been leaving peacefully as one. “
Osabuohien , also speaking on the issue between the Ubiaza Evbo -Ogiamen and Obarentin Community, said there is no village like Ubiaza Evbo -Ogiamen In Benin kingdom.
He presented a letter written by the Palace to the Inspector General Of Police which was signed by the secretary Of Benin Traditional Council, dated 5th April 2022.
A part of the Palace letter reads:—
“I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter ref, No. CR: 3000/IGP. SEC/ MU/ADM.T/ABJ/VOL..84/283of15th March,2021,on above subject matter, and to inform you that there is no village called Ubiaza Evbo -Ogiamen In Obarentin village as mentioned in your letter under reference.
Obarentin is one Of the villages in Ikpoba Okha local government Area Of Edo state being administered by the Enogie ( Duke)Of Oghobaghase , in trust for the Oba Of Benin.”
Osabuohien said, this was a reply to the Police who were investigating the petition written by Ubiaza Evbo -Ogiamen against Obarentin Community. The whole issue were cleared by the Palace. he concluded