A family of Five have deserted their home at Ogheghe, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, over complicity in the gruesome killings of Hausa youths and the subsequent mayhem that visisted the busy community in the outskirts of Benin metropolis.
The Nigeria Police who are in the manhunt for the Eruotor family, particularly fingered one Kennedy Eruotor as the chief protagonist to the event that led to the crisis in Ogheghe community.
Kennedy, 30, a son in the fleeing family, was said to have masterminded and led the reprisal attack on the Arewa youths that saw to the killing of some of them.
It would be recalled that Arewa youths were alleged to have killed a revenue collector in the area following an argument that arose over an alledged motorcycle theft.
Following the death of the revenue collector, Kennedy who happened to be a colleague of the deceased, was said to have mobilised some youths in the area and attacked the hausa community, a situation that led to loss of lives and destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
The State Commissioner of Police (CP), Philip Ogbadu, while speaking with newsmen in Benin on the matter, said Kennedy name featured prominent in the events that led to the crisis that engulfed the community.
The CP explained that following the attack led by Kennedy, the other youths also carried out similar attack that saw the raising of the Eruotor house by inferno.
“Kennedy as a popular face in the neighborhood was trace to his house on meeting his absence. Kennedy resides in the family house with his parents. Some residents sustained various degree of injuries in the inferno.
“The Police have visited the scene and was alarmed with the wanton destruction of lives and properties.
“The State Governor who is also concerned with the sad event, have mandated us to do all within our power and in the shortest possible time, bring all those involved to book.
However, from the preliminary investigation, Kennedy Eruotor, presently at large with members of his family, have a lot of questions to answer.
“In fact, in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the same family (Eruotor), was at the centre of a murder case when the patriarch of the house, Mr Edwin Eruotor was murdered in St. Andrews Protestant Church, Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State that saw to the disappearance of one, Vincent Eruotor.
“As i speak with you, we have spread our dragnet to apprehend the suspents. I however want to say that normancy have returned to Ogheghe community and also encourage us to live in peace.
Meanwhile, as a preventive measure and to reduce crime in the area, the police, in collaboration with the State Government, have ban motorcycles in the area.
“We appreciate the Enogie and the people of Ogheghe Community for their cooperation in ensuring peace in their Community.” State Ogbadu.
