The recent protest by youths in Oben community in Orhionmwon local government area of Edo state has led to the death of one Ebuwa ,brother to Osemwengie Edobor the youth leader who was declared wanted for mobilising agitators against sharp practices of oil companies in the community
Orhionmwon local government area, largely known for its crude oil deposits, is host to many multinational companies with vested interest in oil and gas exploration.
The oil producing communities in Orhionmwon in recent times have experienced series of agitations from host communities against sharp practices of these oil producing companies which includes not providing adequate compensation for pollution of farms and atmosphere,gaseous emissions and lack of infrastructure development through corporate social responsibility.
Oben community as a host community to several oil companies in recent times has been plagued by crisis owing to agitations by host community against activities of these oil companies in relations to provisions of social amenities as it relates to corporate social responsibility.
Ironically, these protesting youths of Oben community have cried out severally for the intervention of government into the activities of these oil producing companies without any hope of succour to alleviate their pitiable conditions which includes poor access roads network ,lack of portable water , lack of electricity supply , dilapidated schools buildings, poor healthcare system.
It was gathered that series of protests by the youth leader, Osemwengie Edobor has either resulted in the police using brute force to quell agitations or firing indiscriminately at protesting youths to disperse members of the host community who on several occassions resort to violence which invariably leads to destruction of property worth millions of naira .
The recent protest of September 18,2014 led by Osemwengie Edobor which however degenerated into violence, destruction of property worth millions of naira
and death of Ebuwa ,according to information gathered was carried out with the original intent to present their demands to the company however hoodlums and cultists hijacked the process leading to the use of firearms by security operatives .
Following the series of protests in the community which led to destruction of buildings, cars and other property worth millions of naira ,the Edo state police command has declared wanted Osemwengie Edobor for masterminding the violence which led to the death of one Ebuwa in the community
Meanwhile, for the helpless youths of Oben community in the vanguard of advocating for adequate provision of social amenities and the need for the oil producing companies to be alive to its corporate social responsibility to its host community through peaceful dialogue , the hope for infrastructural development in the community appears to be a mirage
as security operatives have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators of these mindless violence.
Recent findings indicated that majority of the youths in Oben and neighbouring communities have either relocated to urban centres or are deliberately seeking refuge elsewhere outside the community to avoid arrest and prosecution.
