BENIN-CITY-Fresh violence looms in Aruogba Community in Oredo local government area of Edo State following the reconstitution of the Community Development Association (CDA), recently.
It will be recalled that the former (CDA) of Aruogba suffered leadership tussle that resulted in the barbaric killings and wanton destruction of property estimated at over N50million, months ago.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer, Edo police command DSP Osifo Abiodun assured the community of intensified police patrol.
He appealed to aggrieved members of the community to forget, forgive and embrace peace in the interest of co-existence and development of the community.
Our crime reporter visited the community to ascertained the acceptance or otherwise of the peace initiative.
Some shops and private residential buildings where yet to be opened during the visit, last Tuesday.
The Ohen, Pa Clifford Omosomwan, the Odionwere, Pa Ewansiha Owieadolor and some elders of Aruogba Community told our reporter that they have resolved to embrace peace.
The elders explained that several reconciliation meetings have been held in the community.
They however acknowledged that the community has not made provision for compensation for those directly affected by the crisis.
Contacted, some families whose members were killed, maimed or lost properties in the violence said they are not aware of any peace initiative.
They stated that the recent reconstitution of the CDA chaired by one Comrade Wilfred Aiyamenkhue has further renewed their pains.
They wondered why the CDA which was the cause of the crisis should be reconstituted when cases are pending in courts and corpses of those killed still in various morgues.
“How would you feel if your father was buried and his head still with his killers.”
“You want me to be happy when nobody is talking about who killed my brother, burnt my family house? Why should one man be made CDA Chairman for over 15 years?
The youth Chairman, Aruogba Community Mr Usinefo Omoregie declined comment.
He however enjoined our reporter to revisit the community possibly to see the CDA Chairman.
They called on Edo State Government, Oba palace and relevant security agencies to be proactive in their interventions.
