A 36-year-old man, Augustine Omorogbe is reportedly missing in connection with a Communal crisis that recently ripped through Okhun Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
His gambit to checkmate attempts by one Mr. Oviasogie to disposes the family of Mr. Palmer Omorogbe from taking over thir grandfather’s land in the Community, became the beef that brought Augustine Omorogbe and his family in conflict with the aid of one Mr. Oviasogie.
The said land had been a subject of Community disagreements among the families and remained unsettled since the Patriarch, Pa Omorogbe died in 2005.
Iked by what many described as glaring injustice by a meddlesome interloper, Mr. Augustine Omorogbe and his Uncle, Mr. Peter Omorogbe who were both prevented by persons suspected to be thugs from from taking possession of their rightful land only made bad situation worse for everyone.
Anxious residents of Okhun in Benin, told our Correspondent that Mr. Augustine who had been spirited away on the advice of his father, Mr. Palmer Omorogbe who resides and works in Sapele, Delta State was to represent the family at the elders family meeting at Okhun Community via a telephone call.
Mr. Augustine, was then instructed to accompany his Uncle, to honour an invitation of the elders in Omorogbe family’s compound where they were plans to share a parcel of land belonging to Pa Omorogbe among his Children.
The continued hostility, resumed yesterday when a prominent actor in the crisis, Mr. Oviasogie allegedly led a group of armed thugs to declare war against Mr. Augustine and Mr. Peter Omorogbe.
Investigation revealed that the hoodlums began to fire sporadic gunshots to scare away curious and unarmed rural dwellers who attempted to wade into the crisis, a behaviour the elders of the Community described as an abomination.
An eye witness who declined sharing details with our Correspondent due to safety concerns, said: “the scene looked like a Nollywood film. They (the hoodlums) came in from no where and started shooting.
“I never believed that I would live to tell the story. It started with a minor argument between some persons and some passersby and residents around this area (Okhun Community) had to run for their dear lives. Oh God have mercy on us!”, she narrated weeping uncontrollably.
A family member of the Omorogbes who pleaded anonymity, said some agents believed to be hired assassins who were robed in traditional attires, visited the residence of Mr. Augustine Omorogbe in Benin City.
It was learnt that Mrs. Augustine mutter unintelligibly when the armed men requested to see her husband who sensing danger, immediately escaped through the back door of their residence.
A concerned neighbour who claimed to have heard Mr. Augustine’s Children and wife wail when one of the stern looking men, told the wife that they were mandated to “bring her husband dead or alive” for attempting to pick a fight against their “supreme leader”.
The source further revealed that the cautionary tale prompted a brother-in-law of Mr. Augustine to relocate Augustine’s wife and Children to an undisclosed location in Benin, apparently to douse the fire before the rage and discontent burst into flames and consume the entire family.
Before the sudden turn of events, and Augustine’s decision to drive and and give his all in defence of his father’s right, Mr. Augustine Omorogbe, living in Benin City with his Children and his beloved wife. Life was pleasant.
Peace has eluded the family after the unfortunate assassination attempts which have left a bitter pill in his mouth while his wife and Children have to endure the sudden disappearance of the breadwinner of the family.
Despite repeated assurances by Edo State government and Nigeria police authorities to bring perpetrators of the evil to book, activities of land speculators in Edo State which has ruined several lives, yet the situation remains unchecked.
