₦airaland Forum

Indigenes of Oke-Aroma community, also known as Ago-Emokpae, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, will never forget in a hurry, an attack that forced them out of their homes on the 20th of February. Although the crisis has ceased, the ruins of the attack are still very visible in the community, as burnt houses and vehicles are seen everywhere. The attack, allegedly carried out by the people of Amagba community in Oredo Local Government Area of the state over land dispute, also led to the destruction of domestic animals andý farm produce It was gathered that the relationship between Amagba and Oke-Aroma had been frosty for over one year due to the claim of autonomy by the former.

It was also learnt that the recent crisis was ignited by the state government’s decision to create a new city in the area. It was also gathered that both traditional and legal means had been deployed to resolve the animosity between both communities, who are laying claim to the land, a situation that led to the recent destruction of lives. During the attack, shops were also said to be vandalised. Immediately after the attack, the people of Oke-Oroma community protested to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat, Edo State Council, calling on Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, to intervene in the matter. A member of the community, Mr. Nicholas Aguebor, who spoke for the protesters, alleged that the people of Amagba community invaded their community (Oke-Oroma) and destroyed their houses and other properties.

He said the case over land dispute was still pending at the palace of the Oba of Benin when they were attacked. “Our great grandfathers lived in this community for many years and we did not have any issue with neigbouring communities. We are surprised at the sudden invasion by Amagba and neighbouring communities,’’ Aguebor said. A resident of Oke-Aroma, Abel Emokpae, claimed that his grandfather founded the community; hence the land belongs to them and not Amagba. He said they heard the rumour of the attack three weeks before it was carried out, adding “My brother, Gaius, who is to be installed as Odionwere, wrote letters intimating security agencies of the impending attack, but they failed to take any action.

“How can you live in an area for over 200 years and somebody is telling you the land belongs to them? According to him, after burning their houses, the attackers accused them of carrying out the action. “How can a normal human being burn down his own house? They came to destroy our village. It is Amagba people that are fighting us. “In 2012, Oba Erediauwa set up a panel and Chief Eduwu Ekhator reported that River Oroma was the boundary. If we want to install Odionwere, it is not Amagba that would approve it; it is the Oba. “An Enogie has many villages under him. We are one of the villages under the Enogie of Obagie N’Evbuosa dukedom, based on the ruling of Oba Erediauwa. The river is separating us.

It is a perpetual boundary,’’ Emokpae said. On the planned new city, he said, “We expect Obaseki to talk to Oke-Aroma people and not other groups. We are expecting him to do the needful and not pay our compensation to the wrong people. “The way forward is to recognise us as the rightful owners of that place. We were in the village and had to run into the bush when the attackers came.’’ Also speaking, the general secretary of Oke-Oroma community, Monday Eghaghe, said they were coming home from the police station where they went to report a case when they got wind of the attack.

“We were there with our brother, Pa Osaro Uwaifo, the community chairman and Abel when they told us they were already in our community shooting everywhere, without a just cause. “Obazagbon and Amagba jointly attacked and destroyed our community, but I know the government and our Oba will not leave us alone. Our families ran away because we still envisage that they would come back. All we want is justice and peace. We are calling on government to come to our aid,’’ he said. He said it is a river called Orama that separates the community.

“The river serves as a natural boundary between us and Amagba, as well as Obazagbon. After using the land, the people of Agbama want to cross from Oredo to Ikpoba-Okha to exploit us. This matter is in court and Oba’s palace. Also, a member of the community who only gave his name as Osaron, said many inhabitants of the community had taken refuge in the houses of their relatives in other communities.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-planned-city-ignited-crisis-in-edo-community.html

Naww

Is this life all there is?

You have lived in a place for over 200 years doesn't make u the owner of that place. Your grandfathers also lived there doesnot also make u the owner. Give us better evidence to show that the land belongs to u. Indians are still called the indigenous owners of America despite the fact that Europeans and people from other continents migrated and have lived there for centuries. I hope they find a peaceful means of settling themselves. Too much bloodshed in Nigeria.

Heartless people everywhere.

Killing innocent people just cos of ordinary land dispute

Thanks bro for this post. I currently having a property in this community and I wonder why Ama-gba is laying claim

oz4real83:
You have lived in a place for over 200 years doesn't make u the owner of that place. Your grandfathers also lived there doesnot also make u the owner. Give us better evidence to show that the land belongs to u. Indians are still called the indigenous owners of America despite the fact that Europeans and people from other continents migrated and have lived there for centuries. I hope they find a peaceful means of settling themselves. Too much bloodshed in Nigeria.

If you sabi this environ u will know that Amagba is no way close to this Ago-Emokpae (okeoroma village).

They are known to be a lot closer and be a camp from Obagie Nevbosa community.

jowhyte:
If you sabi this environ u will know that Amagba is no way close to this Ago-Emokpae (okeoroma village).

They are known to be a lot closer and be a camp from Obagie Nevbosa community.

my statement is based on what is in the post. The only proof as owners of the land given by one of the men is that "their grandfathers have lived in the place for 200years". The proof isn't enough. The Dubai family bought the whole of Dubai many years ago even before oil was found there. Land are either bought, hired or allocated by the govt, monarch or community leaders. In this case, how did they get their own?

Judiciary is too weak. They have to be up and doing.
Hence the people would then believe going to court to get justice than causing havoc.

Nigeria is a fourth world country.