IVIANOKPODI, EDO STATE – The family of late Alhaji Okhiankpawonyi Isere Obasogie has appealed to authorities and the wider public for justice, after a violent attack destroyed their home and claimed the life of their patriarch.
According to the family, the tragedy began on the night of April 2, 2014, when a group of armed youths allegedly stormed Alhaji Obasogie’s residence in Ivianokpodi Village.The attackers reportedly set the building ablaze while the family was inside. Although himself and his son, Idowu, managed to escape, the older Obasogie later died from severe burns and trauma sustained during the incident. Idowu survived but now has to live with permanent injuries.
A family spokesperson, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, said the attack stemmed from rising tensions over religious identity and hereditary leadership roles within the community.
The late Obasogie had previously been a respected figure in the local Muslim community and held a hereditary title as the head and overseer of the customs and traditions of the village(an office historically reserved for members of the Obasogie lineage). However, after his conversion to Christianity, the spokesperson claimed pressure mounted for him to abandon his new faith.
“He was asked to renounce his Christian faith and return to Islam in order to retain his hereditary position,” the spokesperson said. “He refused, insisting that nothing would make him abandon his beliefs. That stand ultimately cost him his life.”
Despite reporting the attack to law enforcement, the family says no arrests have been made. They alleged that influential individuals within the community—whom they believe played a role in orchestrating the violence—have interfered with the investigation.
“The police have not brought anyone to justice,” the spokesperson lamented. “We believe powerful people are shielding those responsible.
Today, the once‑vibrant Obasogie family home remains a charred ruin, a stark reminder of the night their lives were upended. The surviving family members have since fled Ivianokpodi and now live in constant fear, unable to return to their ancestral home.
As they continue to mourn their patriarch, they say their greatest hope is for justice, accountability, and the chance to rebuild their lives without fear of further persecution.
The Obasogie case underscores the ongoing challenges surrounding religious freedom, traditional authority, and community conflict in rural areas—highlighting the devastating consequences when grievances go unaddressed and the rule of law fails to protect vulnerable citizens.
