Residents of Ijaw communities in Gelegele, Ovia North - East Local Government Area of
Edo State , are now living in fear over the heavy presence of military operatives in the
area .
It was gathered that the military men were from 19 Battalion , Koko and 4 Brigade ,
Benin .
Spokesperson for the community ,
Chief Macaulay Ayiwei , who raised
the alarm on Friday while speaking
with journalists in Benin , the state
capital , said they woke up to see
over 50 soldiers strategically
positioned around the Ijaw
communities .
Ayiwei alleged that the heavy
presence of the military men may
not be unconnected with the land
dispute between the Ijaw and Benin
people of Ughoton and Gelegele
communities .
He further alleged that the crisis had degenerated into an issue between the Ijaw
community and the Benin Palace and strained the relationship between the two groups .
Ayiwei , who said the disputed land was currently before the State High Court , wondered
why the military would take over the whole Ijaw community of Gelegele.
He said , “ The court is billed to sit on this matter on Monday and Tuesday but what are
they ( security operatives ) doing here , taking over the whole community ?
“ If there is no sinister motive behind this , why will a large number of military men from
Delta and Edo states , armed with gunboats , take over a whole community as early as
6 :00 am on Friday ?
“ While we have them around the community , about five truckloads of soldiers are
stationed at Ekenwan Barracks.
“ The whole Gelegele community is in confusion as to what is happening . We are also not
unaware that their presence has something to do with the dispute between the Ijaw
community and the Benin .
“ While we appeal to our people to
remain calm, we are also calling on the
President to caution the army , especially
the 4 Brigade Commandant , who is a
Benin man , not to plunge the state into
crisis. ”
Spokesperson for the 4 Brigade , Nigerian
Army, Capt . Mohammed Maidawa ,
described the presence of the soldiers as
“ a normal routine exercise . ”
He urged the people to go about their
normal businesses , adding that there was
no cause for alarm .

Let peace reign in the Niger Delta

Nobody is plunging the state into crises.

After that judgment which will favour the real owners(Benin)you all must vacate ASAP. Refusal will lead to what you will regret forever. A guest can never be the host.