From Moshood Karim
Dozens of indigenes from the Ekolo community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday across major streets of Benin City, alleging forceful takeover of their ancestral land and continued harassment by one Mr Monday Igbinoba, whom they accused of impersonating the position of Odionwere (community head).
Led by the Community Secretary, Mr Obaruyi Elvis, the protesters marched to the Press Centre of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, where they passionately appealed to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, as well as the State government, to intervene and save them from what they described as oppression and displacement from their land.
Addressing journalists, Mr Obaruyi alleged that Mr Igbinoba had been unlawfully parading himself as the Odionwere of Ekolo, using that guise to seize large swathes of community land with the help of armed thugs and a private firm identified as Denco Agro Processing Limited.
“He is not the Odionwere, yet he has continued to bulldoze and confiscate our farmland, which we depend on for survival. Today, going to our community feels like passing through hell. He has surrounded Ekolo with his men, and we are living in fear,” Obaruyi lamented.
The community leader also called on the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to urgently intervene and stop what they described as land grabbing and violent intimidation of residents by the said Mr Igbinoba.
“Our people can no longer farm. We are being chased from our homes. We implore Governor Okpebholo to rescue us from the claws of this self-imposed chief. We are not safe, and we can’t keep silent anymore,” Obaruyi added.
The protest drew significant attention, with placards and chants echoing a desperate plea for justice and the restoration of peace in the embattled community.
In response to the protest, the Financial Secretary of the NUJ, Edo State Council, Mr Lucky Ighomaye, received the protesters on behalf of the Union. He commended them for conducting themselves peacefully and assured that their concerns would be given appropriate media coverage and forwarded to relevant authorities.
“We have heard your complaints. We are taking notes, and we will carry out our investigations. Rest assured, we will reach out to those involved and ensure your voices are heard. But please remain peaceful; justice will come,” Ighomaye stated.
The said Monday Igbinoba could not be reached as of the time of filing this report, as calls made to his phone line were not answered.
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