EHOR – The communal dispute over ownership of a large parcel of land,measuring over 150 heatares between Ugonoba and Ugoneki communities in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State has claimed the lives of over seventeen persons while several others sustained various decree of injuries, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in both communities.
Conflict broke out when some youths of Ugoneki under the guise of Community Development Association led by the Youth Chairman of Association, Ikponmwonsa Obasuyi sold part of the disputed land to a private company(name withheld)
The disputed land, which is still a subject of litigation that is pending in a Benin High Court High and judgement has not been delivered,was been sold by Ikponmwonsa Obasuyi to the anger and annoyance of the elders and youths of Ugonoba.
It was gathered that some of Ugonoba youths led by Otabor Godfrey and Efosa Charles went to the disputed land to tell Ikponmwonsa Obasuyi to stop further sales of the land.That was when trouble started.
It was also gathered that when Ikponmwonsa Obasuyi,who is also a leader of a notorious cult group (name withheld) got home,he organized some of his cult members and some of the Ugoneki youths and they invaded Ugonoba community killing and injuring the people they saw in the community.They also went after Otabor Godfrey and Efosa Charles.They killed Charles and set his family house ablaze,they did not find Godfrey at home,but they also set his family house ablaze.At the end of the attack,eleven persons were killed and several houses set ablaze in Ugonoba.
A source in Ugonoba community told our reporter that in retaliation, Otabor Godfrey, Favour Osaro and some other youths invaded Ugoneki community and there was heavy fighting that led to the death of about six other persons from both communities.
The source also said that Ikponmwonsa Obasuyi,who is a lord unto himself, have vowed to kill Otabor Godfrey and members of his family for daring him.
Since the incident,Otabor Godfrey have not been seen,as he has fled for his life fear of been killed by the cult group of Ikponmwonsa Obasuyi.
While it was gathered that Mrs Otabor, the aged mother of Godfrey died of heart attack over the incident
When contacted the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer,DSP Moses Nkombe confirmed the killings and restriction in both communities and stated that normalcy have returned to the communities.He stated that investigation into the communal crisis is going on.As he also said that the command have declared four persons,Ikponmwonsa Obasuyi,Otabor Godfrey,John Izehi and Efosa Charles wanted in connection with the crisis
It would be recalled that Ugonoba Ugoneki,Egueovbiobo and some communities in Uhunmwonde Local Government have been living in fear over incessant attack by Fulani herdsmen, who have killed several persons,raped,kidnapped and maimed others.
This recent clash between both communities have further heightened the fragile security situation in the area
