News

Rescue Us From Incessant Attack, Land Encroachment, Oke-Oroma Community Begs Edo Govt, Others

Published

5 years ago

July 20, 2020

People of Oke-Oroma community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to the state government and other concerned authorities to rescue them from an incessant attack they alleged carried out on them by Amagba community.

In a visit to the community, it was observed that recent attack on the community resulted in burning down of over 15 vehicles and numerous buildings in the community estimated at millions of naira.

Interior of Mr. Monday’s building burnt down during the crisis

Though nomalcy is returning to the community as commercial activities are gradually picking up, it was learnt that it took the effort of Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, to order stationing of a military checkpoint before the last attack on the community was checkmated.

Taking newsmen round the damaged property in an inception, Pa Richard Emokpae, Acting Odionwere of the community, said they were going about their normal businesses on the 20th of February this year when people he alleged to have come from Amagba in Oredo LGA of the state attacked them.

He noted that though land dispute between Amagba and Oke-Oroma started year 2012, the then Oba Erediauwa settled the dispute by declaring that Amagba land does not extend to the community, and that he warned them not to trespass yet they have continue to attack them, stressing that the attack occured even in 2017.

Carcass of cars burnt down by the attackers at Oke-Oroma community

The Acting Odiowere added that the Oba then declared that Oke-Oroma is an autonomous community and that Amagba and other neighbouring communities land does not extend beyond Oroma river (the land boundary) yet they have turned deaf hear to the declaration and attack them over the land.

” From time in memorial, Oke-Oroma community has never been under any community; our community is an autonomous community, and we have a natural boundary which is Oroma river. Oroma river is the natural boundary between our community and Amagba.

” But unfortunately Amagba came to invade us, and in the process many structures were destroyed while vehicles were burnt. The Oba of Benin has once again declared that Amagba does not own any land across the river, but the Invaders are not at rest, they do come to invade us every day, and we have lost several people in the battle.

” This recent attack one took place on the 20th of February this year.
The attack lasted for more than two weeks.They were shooting indiscriminately that many of us ran into the bush and spent days there,” the Acting Odionwere said.

Also speaking to newsmen, one of the victims of the attack, Mr. Monday Imagbenikaro said he was in the morning that faithful day with his family when he started hearing gunshots and some men came to his house and shot indiscriminately, killing his four foreign dogs and left.

Building damaged during the crisis

He added that they came for the second time and pulled his gate down after which they damaged his property in the premises including his three cars, just as he stressed that they came for the third time and forced themselves into the building and brought out him and shot him on the legs without asking any question.”

” My wife came back home to tell me that some police men at the river side said to her and the driver to go back, and that there was a crisis in the community and they want to settle it. I then said if that should be the case we should lock ourselves inside. As we just did that, the next thing, I started hearing gunshots. Before I knew what was happening, they came to my house and shot all my dogs; they fell my gate, and left.

” As they left, I thought it was over, so I came out but saw a lot of people in the community with guns, I then said within myself it was not over yet, I then went inside again. After some hours, they came again, entered my house, damaged things including my 3 cars, and they were even arguing if they should set fire on my generator, but someone said it was not yet time for that, but they must destroy something, and they destroyed everything and left again.

” The third time again they came at about 6pm and started banging on my main door. They forced themselves in and brought me out. Without asking any question, they first shot me on my two legs and I was on the floor. A guy brought out pump action and was about shooting me when I started pleading that my wife is pregnant and that they should allow me see my inborn baby.

” They brought my wife out and saw her. But one said they should kill me, the man that brought my wife out however said this man said his wife is pregnant and he wants to see his unborn baby, you still want to kill him, please let him be. They there after brought out my driver, and I started pleading that he is my driver that they shouldn’t kill him. And that was how they ordered him to take me to hospital, and that no one else will touch us, and that was how myself and the entire family left.”

According to him, when all this was going, they questioned him why he didn’t buy land from Amagba community but Oke-Oroma, and that Amagba owns the community and the land therein.

” But before they ordered my driver to take me to hospital, They questioned me why did I not buy land from Amagba but Oke-Oroma, that I suppose not to buy land from the community but Amagba, and that Amagba owns the community.

Another building damaged

Effort to take Amagba’s reaction proved abortive as one of the community leaders who ought to speak to our correspondent said on phone that he was in Lagos and that he cannot say anything as regards the allegation via phone.

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

4 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

14 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

News

Lawyers Fault EFCC Statement, Say It’s Misleading

Published

15 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Some legal practitioners in Bauchi state have faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official statement about their client on Wednesday, adding that it was erroneous, false and misleading.

It could be recalled that EFCC posted on its official Facebook handle that a Bauchi State High Court has cleared the commission to proceed with its investigation of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

According to the EFCC statement, the commission said Justice Aliyu Baba, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2025, dismissed an application by Koshe seeking to restrain the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission from probing him.

However, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, M.M. Usman Esq, H.B. Pali Esq, Abbas Ibrahim Esq, I.G. Agwam Esq and Salome Audu Esq all counsel to Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Anor as well as Koshe insisted that the statement was misleading.

According to them, the EFCC owed the public the duty of relating only the truth of what the courts decided as regards the contract financing agreement in the issues their clients were parties.

“Our attention as the legal representatives of Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Alhaji Hamza Koshe in respect of suit No. BA/271/2024 has been drawn to the statement posted on the official page of the EFCC on Wednesday, where the Commission supposedly rendered an analysis of the judgement delivered by the High Court of Justice No. 4 Bauchi Presided by Justice Aliyu Usman on the 30th July 2025.

“Now against the background of the erroneous, false and misleading publication by the EFCC on the matter, we deem it necessary to set the records straight by stating what actually is the truth of the matter in terms of the enrolled judgment Order of the Court to which this press release is attached.

“It is proper to state as a fact that in an earlier judgement relating to the subject of this release, the verdict of the High Court of Justice No. 10 Bauchi presided by Justice M. M. Abubakar delivered on the 19th December, 2024 is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject matter of the suit having been found to be valid and not contravening any law remains enforceable hence, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd is accorded the applicable injunctive reliefs as regards the activities of the Commission.

“We state as a fact that the main question of law determined in Justice Aliyu Baba Usman’s judgment is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject of the suit is valid.

“The EFCC failed to state in its statement in reference the fact that many parties and contractors concerned or involved in the Contract Financing Agreement in the issue have been invited by the Commission with virtually all of them responding, honoring its invitation on the matter and thereby discharging their legal obligation speak volumes of ‘the bidding of some’ which the publication seeks to achieve ab initio,” said the lawyers.

The counsel added that the mischief and deliberate misrepresentation in EFCC’s statement could be seen when not only did it make no mention of this fact but also created the impression that their clients went to Court to evade investigation on the matter.

They said that Koshe was a guest of the Commission having honored its invitation in September 2024 which he was released on administrative bail, the terms and conditions applicable to which he has been observing.

“It is also important to clarify as a fact that there is no truth at all in the Commission’s statement to the effect that our client sought a perpetual injunction of general nature against the Commission’s activities.

“The truth about the reliefs sought by our clients is as contained in the Court’s processes filed in the suit in reference.

“We challenge the Commission to provide evidence of where our client ever sought a perpetual injunction at large or of general nature against it or any other body duly established by law.

“We urge members of the public to disregard in its entirety EFCC’s statement on the subject and be guided in its stead by the facts as contained in the relevant court processes to which this release is attached,” he said.