BENIN CITY – The significance of land cannot be overemphasized as it enjoys a universal level of attachment.
Report reaching our news desk has it that In Ubiaza community, the attachment to land has assumed a rather frightening dimension as family members now attack and attempt to kill each other over the inheritance, ownership and control of some parcels of land in the serene Ubiaza community, Sapele Road, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to the reports, fight ensued between two half brothers, Frank Oghogho and Mr. Nicholas Oghogho, following the decision of Mr. Frank Oghogho, to sell an inherited plot of land in the Ubiaza community.
Our source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the decision of Mr. Frank to sell the land did not go down well with his half-brother, Nicholas, who insisted that the piece of land should not be sold but must be inherited by himself after the death of their patriarch and father, Late Mr. Omere Oghogho.
In the ensuing scuffle, it was reported that criminal elements, on the orders of Nicholas Oghogho, persistently attacked his brother as well as the buyer and new owner of said the land, Mr. Kokobi Odia.
To initiate tangible peace, Mr. Edwin Ogiamen, a maternal uncle to Frank Oghogho decided to invite all parties to a round table even while and the new owner had earlier reported several threats to his life and property to the elders of the Community and the security agency for protection and to barred Nicholas Oghogho from harassing and attacking him for legitimately acquiring a piece of land from his half brother, Mr. Frank Oghogho.
“When the new owner started developing his newly acquired parcel of land, Nicholas who reside at no 12 Itte Village, Ovia North East Local Government Area; along with some thugs and hardened cultists, allegedly attacked him and disrupted the workers on site, claiming that the said land rightfully belong to him”, the source said.
“To resolve the crises, a meeting was arranged by the community to help resolve the conflict between the half brothers over the control and ownership of the land. But unfortunately at the meeting where Frank Oghogho and his maternal uncle, Edwin Ogiamien whom they both reside at No. 7, First Osaro Street, Off Okhokhugbo Road, Egor Local Government Area, Benin City where present, Nicholas and his thugs seriously beat up Frank to stupor, opened fire and shot at the new owner and the Community elders and killed two persons in the process. They equally threatened further to eliminate anyone of them that ever step their legs on the said land” the source added.
“Mr. Frank Oghogho with serious injury was taken to the hospital for treatment while others ran for cover, against the unprovoked and gruesome attack by Nicholas and his group, who were armed with dangerous weapons and threatened to kill anybody in sight.
“The confrontation resulted in serious casualties and gun injuries which led to police involvement and investigation”, the source concluded.
In a press release by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Inspector Kolawole Cadmus said investigation is ongoing and explained that no stone will be left un-turn to prosecute culprits involved in the attack.
However, unusual calm has descended on Ubiaza community as the Police Command has deplored policemen around the vicinity and declared everybody involved in the clashes wanted.
As at press time, the whereabouts of Mr. Frank Oghogho and others is yet to be ascertained as they have been alleged to have gone into hiding for fears of police arrest and also reprisal attack from his half brother and his cult group.
