BENIN CITY – The duke (Enogie) of Ukhiri Community in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State Mr Godwin Aigbe has been hospitalised after armed attacked him in his palace invasion.
The assailants were said to have inflicted varying degrees of injuries on the traditional ruler said to be on danger list at an undisclosed hospital in Benin City.
Some persons including the Enogie subjects were also wounded as property worths several thousands of Naira razed by the rampaging youths.
Among other property vandalized at the Enogie’s palace included two deep freezers and five vehicles.
Sources disclosed that the attack is not unconnected to the lingering dispute between Ukhiri and Ulegun Communities over 222 hectares of land.
It was gathered that the land dispute which dates back to 1975 is now before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Some members of Ukhiri Community alleged that the attackers were Ulegun people who invaded the palace while they were awaiting celebration of Igue festival to kick off in Ukhiri.
It source said trouble started after the Enogie of Ukhiri Mr Godwin Aigbe allegedly sold a portion of land belonging to Ulegun community to a developer.
Some members of Ulegun community were said to have also sustained bullets wounds in the crisis as they were receiving medical attention at a hospital in Benin City.
Unconfirmed sources hinted that the Enogie of Ukhiri Mr Godwin Aigbe had since been discharged from the hospital.
Attempts to obtain comments from Ulegun community failed at press time.
Edo Police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the attack and denied reports that the Enogie is dead.
He said efforts were on to arrest the perpetrators.
