By Simeon OSAJIE
The people of Evbo-Iyamu community in Uhunwonde Local Government Area of Edo State have cried out to Edo State Governor, Senator Okpebholo, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II and other relevant security agencies to come to their aid over the alleged destruction of a bridge across the Oken river in the community.
The people of community said they decided to cry out so that concerned authorities would know about the incident, alleging that some indigenes of Egba were responsible for the destruction of the bridge, which they said links part of the community to its ancestral land and farmlands.
The General Secretary of Evbo-Iyamu community, Deacon Samson Eguagie while speaking to journalists after on the spot assessment of the destruction said some indigenes who went to the river to fetch water early on Monday, August 31, 2026, raised the alarm after allegedly sighting some people from Egba destroying the bridge.
According to him, the alleged perpetrators fled the scene after the alarm was raised, before other members of the community could arrive.
Eguagie said the development was connected to a land dispute, alleging that people from Egba had continued to lay claim to a portion of Evbo-Iyamu land located across the river, despite a September 28, 2024 ruling by the Palace of the Ova of Benin.
He said the ruling was followed by a boundary demarcation exercise on October 7, 2024, but alleged that the Egba people had continued to lay claim to the land.
“We are supposed to be neighbours, but they (Egba people) are taking us as enemies because they said they have money,” he alleged.
Eguagie appealed to Governor Okoebholo, the Palace of the Benin Monarch and security agencies, to intervene in the matter before it escalates.
Also speaking the second-in- command (Ozukpogieva) in Evbo-Iyamu community, Pa Osaigbovo Uhunamure; a prominent son of the community, Dr. David Iyamu; and a woman leader, Madam Idiagbonmwen Obayagbona, said the Oken River had never served as a boundary between the two communities from time immemorial of the community’s existence.
However, the Vice President of the Egba Development Association, Mr. Julius Obaghise, denied the community’s involvement in the alleged destruction of the bridge.
Obaghise, who spoke to newsmen through telephone, said the Oken River serves as a boundary between the two communities.
He disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Egba, accompanied by representatives of both communities, visited the site of the bridge on Sunday for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
Community Calls On Relevant Authorities to Intervene Over Alleged Destruction of Bridge
