By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The people of Obaretin Community in Ikpoba Okha area of Edo State have sent Save Our Soul,( SOS), to the State governor, Godwin Obaseki , and His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin, over continuous harrassment by Osabuohien and Ogiamen children.
They said, people from Obaretin community have been driven out of their farm land ,and can nolonger sleep in their house, as continuous attacks by Osabuohien and his gangs have been the order of the day.
In a town hall meeting at Obaretin , both the elders, women and the youths of the community begged the Royal Majesty , Oba Ewuare 11 , and the governor, Godwin Obaseki to come to their rescue as their farm land have been taken over by the aclaimed Ubiaza and Ogiamen community.
Speaking to newsmen, Pa Albert Ogiemwonyi, who is second in command in the community, said, “Obaze Ogiamen came to Obaretin to farm, and later he requested for a land to build a house, which was glaudly given to him.
He lived with us peacefully in the community until his death.
“We are suprised that they are claiming that they now own Obaretin land. There’s nothing like Ubiaza Community in Okpoba Okha local government of Edo State.
We only hear of Ubiaja in Esan lan.”
They come to our community every day with police men harrasing our youths, so we are appealing to the governor and his Royal Majesty to save us from their hands.
Pa Samuel Okuoghe also collaborating, said, ” it is shocking to hear Ogiamen and Osabuohien Ukhumwagho claiming that Ubiaza is now a community in Obaretin.
At of 10 communities Enogies were installed by omo no Oba , nothing like Ubiaza. Osabuohien Ukhumwagho, who we made Chairman of the youths in the community for 8 good years, and later another four years as Okaighele , and did nothing for the community during the period, now went and join Ogiamen children to claiming Obaretin land, selling them out illegaly. Also saying that Ubiaza Ogiamen is now a community in Ikpoba Okha local government.
” We only allowed them to farm in our land. We are begging the government and Oba Ewuare to intervene and rescue us from intimidation and constant harrassment.
Elder Godfrey Idiaghe, former secretary to the late Enogie, said, when the Osabuohien and Ogiamen children issued a statement to the effect that they are now Ogiamen Ubiaza community, the late Enogie carried a paid advert to denounce them in the Nigerian Observer of may 1st 2020. They have no accestal home here, they are under Obaretin community.he stated.
Also speaking, madam Ighile, said , they can longer sleep in their houses as Osabuohien Ukhumwagho invade the community every night with police to arrest their children. They will burst the doors open at about 2 am or 3am claiming that our children are Criminals, and that they are vigilants or police men.
We beg the governor to help us look into the crisis, because we have no access to our farm land or market again.
Reacting to the allegations, Osabuohien Uhumwagho, said, ” I know nothing about what they are alleging of, I have long ago told them in Obaretin community that i
can not be involved in CDA matters, despite that I am the Okaighele of the community , since the government and our father, Oba Ewuare 11 have prohibited it.
” Despite that I am a member of the state vigilants, I have never gone to Obaretin with any body, nor have anything to do with the community.”
Police came from Abuja to arrest some of the youths who went to Ubiaza community to destroy their properties I was told, I am not part of it, they should leave me out of it. He concluded.
When contacted,
Secretary to Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor said, “the purported letter being circulated by Ubiaza Ogiamen community is fake, and that the palace will soon contact the security agents to fish out those behind the act.’ End.