ABUDU -The whereabouts of an old man,Pa Friday Ogbodago is unknown after an attack on him at his house in Igbotor Igbanke community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area,Edo State by armed men suspected to be cultists and Fulani herdsman recently.
A family source who spoke to The NIGERIAN OBSERVER on condition of anonimity said that the attackers,who can from Ekpon village have a land dispute with a young man,Henry Omobude,who inherited a large palm plantation from his late father.
The family source said that the disputed large palm tree plantation Henry inherited from his late father is located on the boundary between Igbotor Igbanke and Ekpon communities. Ekpon community wanted to forcefully take over what rightly belongs to Henry,and they have been fighting over the large hectares of land with Henry’s father while he was still alive.
The family source further said that in 2014,Ekpon community. invaded the land and a serious fight eschew between them and Henry Omobude.One of the thugs from Ekpon lost his life and Henry was blamed for his death.Ekpon community and the family of the dead man resorted to threatening and tormenting Henry and his uncle,Pa Ogbodago,who have been supporting Henry in the fight for the disputed plantation.
The source also said in December 2015, the land was finally seized by Ekpon community and given to Fulani Cattle rearers.Henry with the support of his uncle and friends,resisted the invasion of the land and fought the Ekpon armed thugs.
During the fight,Henry and some of his friends that helped him were seriously injured,while another of his friend was fatally shot.
Henry reported the matter to the police and community head of his village, Igbotor Igbanke,but they could not help him.
According to our source,he fled to Benin City for safety,but they also trailed him to where he was staying in Benin.He narrowedly escaped been killed and he has not been seen since then.
The attack on the resident of the uncle,is a way of telling the family that they are after the lives of Henry and the family and they have boasted that they will do everything possible to claim the disputed land.
The whereabout of Henry Omobude and his Uncle,Pa Friday Ogbodago is unknown.
