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Tension Brew In Ologbo, Others Over Alleged Imposition Of Alien Administration

Published

5 years ago

October 14, 2020

Tension is presently brewing between residents of Itsekiri speaking peope, other tribes and Benins resident in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo state over allegation by the communities that the Benins are foisting an alien administration on them.

The Itsekiri, during a protest in the area claimed that they have been living independently in Ologbo for over 400 years.

Speaking during a press conference held Wednesday in the community, spokesperson of the group, Comrade Gregg Temisan Luma on behalf of the people said the Itsekiri live in Ologbo, Ikara, Kolokolo, Ajoki, Ajatiton, Ajamogha, Abiala 1 and Abiala 2.

He noted that what was happening in the area was capable of sparking a community war and accused the Enogie of Ologbo, Prince Owen Akenzua of allegedly claiming to be their head.

Comrade Lima said the Itsekiri and the Ijaws have their independent heads.

He explained that the boundary adjustment made when Edo and Delta states were created, and the use of Ologbo River as a natural boundary was a mistake which he said was responsible for the Enogie to now lay claim of ownership of Ologbo and other riverine communities in the area.

He said, “The Itsekiri and Ijaw as a people have their own unique identity and will not be subsumed into another tribe in this modern day Nigeria.

“Therefore, we don’t recognise any dukedom put in place by the Binis to tactically obliterate the identity of the Itsekiri and Ijaw from Edo state and their right of self determination in Nigeria.

“These communities have their native laws, customs and local administrative system before the advent of British colonial rule in the areas they are today. We have never been an appendage of the Benin kingdom at any given time in history and will not accept that aberration of a dukedom to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

However, reacting to the development, the General Secretary of Ologbo dukedom, Deacon Friday Osazuwa in company of elders of the community said the protesters were faceless.

He said “The people that protested are faceless people, we don’t know them. The real Itsekiri people in Ologbo, the Ologbo people know who owns the land.

“Ologbo River is the natural boundary between Edo and Delta states. All areas in the Ikpoba-Okha local government area falls within the area under the Oba of Benin who owns the land and if Oba of Benin owns the land and in Benin custom and tradition, the enogie represents the Oba, then what are they sayinf? So whoever is disputing that, he should go to the palace of the Oba of Benin.”

Related Topics:#community news #Itsekiri #Ologbo Edo State

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Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

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Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”