By Ify Itohan
The Elders of Obayantor have called on Oba Euware 11, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki , Inspector General of Police, DSS’s urgent intervention to stop one Festus Ekinaye Edegbe and Osamudiame Ohonbamu of Obagie Community who has allegedly boasted of having concluded plans to attack Obayantor Community over boundary disputes that have originally been resolved by the elders of both communities.
Addressing newsmen in Obanyantor Community in Benin City unbehalf of members of the community , Elder Godwin Ikponwonsa Aghemie recalled that in 2016 , elders of Obagie and Obayantor Communities had a boundary dispute which was later adjusted amicably but was taken aback when in 2022, an elder in Obagie ,Mr. Festus Ekinaye Edegbe started raising issues that the boundaries were not adjusted in his presence and thus, it must be readjusted.
According to him, majority of the Elders from Obagie Community disagreed with Festus Edegbe and insisted that the boundaries had been adjusted already but for peace to reign , both community elders agreed to carry out the adjustment again under an oath.
“ Interestingly, the representatives of Obanyantor Community led by Mr. Daniel Izevbezu swore to an Oath affirming the boundaries and the land as belonging to Obayantor and Obagie Community and Peace was restored to the communities”
Worried by the recent threat from Mr. Festus Ekinaye Edegbe and Osamudiame Ohonbamu who are still using the boundary issues between Obagie and Obayantor as a legal ground to invade, kill and maime members of Obayantor Community with sophisticated weapons and dangerous ammunition within their possession, Elder Aghime noted that due to the threat, members of the Community are already in disarray , fear of being killed at any time, thereby denying them the right to their lives.
Elder Aghimie further appeal to Governor Godwin Obaseki inline with his mandate to secure the lives of his Citizens to please deploy measures in place that will help checkmate the activities of these Men who are bent on attacking the Community with dangerous weapons over boundary disputes that have been resolved on oath by both Communities.
“It is clear that Mr Festus Actions should not be swept under the carpet as same is frowned at by the extant laws of the land, I however appeal that you swift action to protect our lives from these persons as required of you in this circumstance”
“Members of Obayantor Community are law abiding and are desirous of justice as the action of the said Mr Festus Ekinaye Ededgbe and his corhots are likely to breach the peace of both Communities.
All efforts to reach Festus Edegbe as at the time of publishing this report proved abortive.