The Nigerian Police Force Edo State Command has declared nine persons wanted over their involvement in the death of 10 persons including two Police officers. Other offenses include burning of police station, destruction of property worth millions of naira at Ozalla and Ahor communities over boundary dispute.
Those declared wanted includes Kingsley Okugbowa, Jude Arasonwon, Babalola Timothy, Chukwuma Eze who are from Ozalla Community while Osaze Obazele, Eromosele Charles, Osawe Steve, Simon Abel and Abraham Babagana popularly known as AB are from Ahor Community. They were declared wanted for the various roles played in the crisis that has claimed several lives.
The crisis, destructions of properties even the loss of lives were related to the land dispute which has spanned over 12 years. Several personalities, politicians, religious and traditional rulers, including local government chairmen have all intervened to no avail. The youths from both communities continued to engage in disturbing the peace of the area as they used dangerous weapons freely unchecked.
The continuous disagreement and fight led to breakdown of law and order in both communities. The recent hostilities as resulted to the death of 10 persons including two policemen who tried to restore peace and order in the renewed crisis.
Following the break down of law and order in the area, a detachment of mobile police officers were brought in from Command Headquarters to restore peace. Over 30 persons fingered to have participated in the fracas from both communities were arrested while nine other youths have been declared wanted.
It was gathered that the disputed land whose measurements is yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing in this report, is been used for farming purposes by both communities. Both communities have been living peacefully until 12 years ago, precisely 2003 when the present crisis started.
Investigation revealed that both communities were able to maintain peace in the disputed land for over three years until the unfortunate illness that put the Enogie of Ozalla Community into coma as his son Prince Christopher Ogedengbe who took over leadership of the community allegedly made several utterances which led to renewed hostilities resulting to destructions of lives and properties.
According to investigation, trouble started when Prince Christopher Ogedengbe asked his people to be bold and ensure they fight for the disputed land which he said belonged to the Ozalla Community over 400 years ago. He noted that Ahor people were intruders trying to cause problem, urging his people to ensure they stop the intruders from farming in the said land.
Report had it that the statement prompted the youths of Ozalla Community to attack farmers from Ahor Community in the disputed land resulting to crisis, protest and counter protest heating up tension in both communities as they all prepared for war but for the quick intervention of security agencies that saved the situation from degenerating.
Investigations revealed that the confirmation of the death of the Enogie of Ozalla on August 5th, 2015 opened doors of uncertainty in the crisis as Prince Christopher Ogedengbe who was installed in a small ceremony as the new Enogie allegedly used his political influence and connection in a bid to claim the disputed land.
A source that don’t want his name mentioned in print said his utterances continued to heat up the crisis as he told his youths from Ozalla Community to take over the land as it belongs to them. “His utterances led to several attacks and reprisal attacks leading to distructions of lives and properties.
“All through the months of September and October it was crisis in both communities as security agencies tried to maintain law and order. Several protest was led against the Enogie of Ozalla Community by the people of Ahor Community who were allegedly attacked on several occasion by youths from Ozalla Community.
“The Enogie was invited for questioning on several occasions as well but was allowed to go as a result of his political influence and connection but continued to use his traditional leadership position to oppress the people of Ahor Community”.
Another reliable source said the Enogie of Ozalla Community should not be dragged into the crisis as he has continued to call for peace in both Communities as he is a man of peace. “Youths from both Communities should be held responsible for the crisis which has resulted to the death of 10 persons including two police officers.
“The people of Ozalla Community woke up on the 28th of October 2015 to the attacks from youths of Ahor Community leading to destructions of properties. A reprisal attacks was immediately carried out by youths from Ozalla Community as the law enforcement officers stepped in to restore peace. The crisis that lasted for over three days led to the death of 10 persons unfortunately two policemen were also killed in the process.
“Following the death of the policemen and subsequent burning of two police stations in the area and freeing of prisoners, over 30 persons have been arrested in connection with the crisis. The both Communities were locked in fracas for over 72 hours but thank God peace has been restored with the military in charge of securing the area”.
As at the time of filing in this report, peace has returned to the communities which was earlier deserted by citizens for fear of being killed. Investigation into the matter continues as those arrested are helping security agencies with relevant information that will lead to the arrest of those declared wanted.
