BENIN CITY- The octogenarian head of Ofuwmengbe community with one of his youth Leaders are now biting their fingers in the maximum cell at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City over the recent invasion and shooting of seven persons at Okponha village in Ovia South-west local government area of Edo State.
It was learnt that Pa Kingsley Okumwogie, his second and third in command as well as another elder in Ofunmwengbe town were arrested at the wake of the bloody invasion last week.
However, two of the elders regained freedom after they were quizzed by police investigators but the community head and one other were detained.
Commenting on the invasion, shooting at Okponha community and the arrest that ensued, the Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Stephen Onwochei exclusively told our crime correspondent that long guns and dangerous weapons were freely used by the perpetrators.
DSP Onwochei stated that Ofunmwengbe and Okponha communities have been embroiled in a boundary dispute.
He explained that the police command has severally advised that they should channel their grievances to the appropriate government agency.
“They were warned seriously against taking laws into their hands, but last Tuesday, somebody from Okponha community was laying foundation within the area said to be disputed.
“While that was going on some youths from the other side come ostensibly to stop the process, single and double barrels were fully deployed, shooting at each other, before we moved in seven persons have already sustained injuries.
The victims are responding to treatment at different hospitals in Benin.
“The village head of Ofunmwengbe and one of their youth leaders are with us and as we speak, they are giving us useful information as to who and who went there to be shooting”. DSP Onwochei revealed.
He further explained that “our intervention in the matter doesn’t address the issue of boundary dispute but to maintain law and order”.
The police spokesman however stated that arms and ammunition suspected to have been used for the attack have been recovered.
He promised that the police would not treat the issue with kid gloves as operatives are already on the trail of those involved in the invasion.
It could not be ascertained at press time weekend whether the village head and his youth Leader have regained freedom.
Inside source at the police headquarters hinted that the octogenarian Pa Okumwogie had last Friday evening became emotional when he was told that his bail was impossible that day.
He was said looked around and expressed serious concern about his health and old age in detention.
It will be recalled that the youth Chairman of Okponha town, Wilson Osaze had alleged that some youths of Ofunmwengbe community a.k.a Okada junction/new road, armed with guns and dangerous weapons attacked them at a building site during foundation laying in Okponha community.
No fewer than seven persons sustained varying degrees of bullet wounds during the broad day invasion.
The unexpected attacked forced residents to run in different directions to avoid being hit by bullet.
Attempts to obtain comments from the youth Chairman of Ofunmwengbe community identified as Edosa Ogiamien, failed.
A reliable source hinted that the Edosa Ogiamien has gone into hiding apparently to avoid arrest by police.
The source further stated that the people of Okponha village encroached on the land of Ofunmwengbe community.
