OKADA -Edo State Government yesterday imposes 24 hour-curfew on Ikpako Community yesterday impose a 24 hour curfew on Ikpako Community and it’s environs in Ovia North East Local Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Government, John Maiyaki has said that the curfew became imperative following crisis in the area which led to the killing of thirteen persons and burning of several houses on Saturday, January 7, 2017.
Ikpako community have had series of bloody battles with the federal government over the control of the community rich natural resources which have been plundered by government and the community do not have anything to show for it.
Several of the youths in the community have been killed by soldiers who invaded the community on invitation of the federal government. The elders and youths of Ikpako community have made numerous appeals and representations to the government about their plight, instead of government to heed and ameliorate their sufferings, they sent soldiers who massacre the elders and youths.
The violence that erupted in March, 2014 and February 2016 that claimed several lives came as a result of youth protest over their polluted rivers and total neglect of the community by government.
Some of the youths that were ealier declared wanted over the March 2014 and February 2016 incidents, Godspower Uriefo, Favour Egbert, Igbinosa John Osemwengie and Charles Aigbangbee have been fingered by government as been the brains behind this latest crisis, where eleven Ikpako youths and two soldiers were killed, the casualties may still increase as several of the persons injured by soldiers are still in undisclosed hospitals across the state.
Security operatives have declared Godspower Uriefo, Favour Egbert, Igbinosa John Osemwengie and Charles Aigbangbee in this latest incident
