Edo community begs Obaseki, IGP to intervene in land dispute

Residents of Iviukwe Community in Etsako East Local Council of Edo State, yesterday, called on Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, to intervene in the crisis rocking the community, following the arrest and illegal detention of members of the community over land dispute.

Briefing newsmen at a press conference in Benin City over the alleged forceful take-over of its ancestral lands by some highly placed persons from the community, Chairman of Reformed Ozekhome Dynasty, Okpame Ozekhome, appealed to security agencies to unravel those who wreaked havoc on the community.

The community had been engulfed in crisis, following alleged sales of its communal land by some notable leaders from the community, and the subsequent arrest and detention of its leader, Chief Osimi.

The community members also demanded the immediate release of its leader, and other residents, who are still alleged to be in police custody over the land dispute.

Ozekhome, who spoke on behalf of the sons and daughters of Iviukwe Community, home and in diaspora, said: “ We call on the Governor of Edo and the IGP to ensure restoration of peace to our troubled community, and direct the police officers there to withdraw the over week-long siege to the village and allow the justice process to take its course.

“Over 300 police officers are in Iviukwe, shooting sporadically in a commando style, arresting innocent people and destroying properties.”

“Many people, including the community Chairman, Adulphus Ozekhome as well as Chief Francis Ozekhome, have been arrested and illegally detained by the police without justification.” Ozekhome said.

He added that the call became imperative as a result of the inhuman treatment, manhandling, arrest and illegal detention of its community leader, and appealed to the Edo police authorities for prompt investigation into the crisis rocking the community.