Alleged Attack: Ekhor-Nuwaya Community Cries Out For Help

By Simeon OSAJIE

The elders and the people of Ekhor-Nuwaya Community in Uhunwonde local government areas of Edo State have appealed to Edo State government, the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II and other relevant security agencies to come to their aid over alleged attack and subsequent killing of an indigene by the people of Ekhor-Noguokhuan community.

Pa Iruogbetin Edokpayi, the Ozukpogieva of the community, and the people of the community made the appeal while speaking to the newsmen on the development bothering on unlawful possession of Ekhor-Nuwaya’s land by Ekhor-Noguokhuan community.

Pa Edokpayi said the height of the illegalities by the people of Ekhor-Noguokhuan community came to the open when they openly attacked them in their community land and shooting sporadically as  if there was war between both communities thereby allegedly killing an indigene, Mr. Saturday Idahosa.

He said the land in question belong to the Ekhor-Nuwaya from time immemorial and that they were surprised when the people of the neighbouring Ekhor-Noguokhuan community, had to bypass the boundary  into Ekhor-Nuwaya’s land and started selling the landed properties rightful belong to Ekhor-Nuwaya community.

Also collaborating Pa Edokpayi’s claim is  the Okaighele of the community, Igie Jacob Erhunmuomana.

According  to Erhunmuomana, “the people of Ekhor-Nuwaya communty are pained as a result of the alleged killing of their brother and the people of Ekhor-Noguokhuan without showing remorse for the life that was lost, and went further to the boundary which belong to Ekhor-Nuwaya and started working there, daring the people of my community that we cannot do anything.

“We are not in a lawless society, we are law abiding and peaceful citizens, and we are going to explore every legal means to bring the perpetrator of the dastardly killing of one of our own to book.”

On the issues of boundary, Comrade Ojo Nosakhare Obazee said Ekhor-Nuwaya has boundary with Emuhun, Ekhor-Noguokhuan, (Ekhor-Nokhokho), Ekhorniro Aduhahan and Ekhor-Nidunolu, and they have been living peacefully from time immemorial, but because of development, the people of   Ekhor-Noguokhuan and Emuhun are now laying claim to Ekhor-Nuwaya’s land adding that they will follow the legitimate process to making sure that which belong to them is not taken from them.

He pointed out  that the people of Ekhor-Nuwaya does not believe in violence but that  they cannot just fold their hands to allow somebody from nowhere to acquire where their fathers have farmed over the years, adding that there is the Palace of the great Oba that administer these area of authorities and if there is anything contrary, they always go to the Palace to sort it out or otherwise, there are court of competent jurisdiction were such matters are heard and settled amicably.

While putting the record straight, Comrade Obazee said multiple sales of land is forbidden in  Ekhor-Nuwaya, what they do once a property is acquired by an individual or transfer to an individual based on the authorities of the elders in the community, then all right and privileges have been transferred to such individual or group of persons and when any person is found  doing such thing, whatever goes with it, that person will have to take it.

While urging the people to remain peaceful, he noted that with time justice will take its course, especially as the issue of the alleged killing of Mr. Saturday Idahosa is before the Government.