Evboneka community near NIFOR has been thrown into mourning following the brutal killing of a 74-year-old woman, identified as Mrs. Esther Ozemijie in what is believed to be a targeted revenge attack.
The incident, which occurred on July 1st, amid a longstanding land dispute involving the community’s youth leadership, has sparked outrage and calls for justice.
Sources allege that the assailants’ intended target was Mrs. Ozemijie’s son, Godwin Ozemijie, who had visited her shortly before the attack. Unable to reach him, the attackers reportedly killed his mother to send a chilling message.
According to eyewitnesses, Mrs. Ozemijie was found unconscious and rushed to the hospital by concerned residents. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries three days later.
Community members trace the roots of the conflict to a controversial land sale allegedly orchestrated by the current Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA). The chairman is accused of illegally selling family and communal land to housing developers to exploit the community’s bitumen deposits—a move strongly opposed by Mr. Ozemijie’s father and the community’s Odionwere (village elder).
Despite a ruling by the Oba of Benin in favor of the Ozemijie family and interventions by the police and a government-appointed committee, the CDA chairman reportedly ignored all judgments. Family members claim he has since used his influence to harass and intimidate anyone who stands in his way, escalating tensions within the community.
Efforts to get comments from youth leadership were unsuccessful, as they declined to speak on the matter due to its sensitivity. However, sources close to the investigation confirmed that arrests have been made and further inquiries are underway.
The Evboneka community is in shock as residents grapple with the implications of this deadly conflict. Many are calling for swift justice and protection for families caught in the crossfire of community power struggles.
The Nigerian Observer will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
