...The Iguomo, Ikhuonbo story
Boundary dispute is a common phenomenon amongst neighbouring communities across the world. But when it is seemingly unending with violence, it becomes a threat to peaceful co-existence, economic development and growth.
This is now the prevailing situation with two Edo State neighbouring villages: Iguomo and Ikhuenbo; both in Uhunmwode Local Government Area.
Both villages have since 1987 been at each other’s jugular over a boundary dispute that had been taken through various authorities of adjudication up to the Supreme Court in year 2016.
With available evidences, Iguomo village got Court judgement in their favour yet, the dispute which had claimed several lives continue to rage as Ikhuenbo village has allegedly vowed to stop their neighbors from taking possession of the contentious land area which is said to be over 800,000 plots.
The Okaighele (youth’s leader) of Iguomo village, Comrade Johnbull Owenaze narrated the story.
According to him, it all began in 1987 when both villages contested ownership of the contentious land area at the High Court, Appeal Court and finally at the Supreme Court with Iguomo village finally getting judgement in their favour in the year 2016.
He said however, not necessarily getting judgement that matters most, but its execution.
“Truly, our village has the Supreme Court judgement which ordered the Surveyor – general of Edo State to implement demarcation of the disputed boundary.
“But the family of Aghobayi Enamwankponmwe who call themselves Ikhuenbo village has continued to be an obstruction.
“The family led by Efosa Aghobayi, Henry Aghobayi, Emovon Enamwankponmwe, Peter Eze Omoruwa, Lucky Akhiri a.k.a Salvo, have vowed never to allow Iguomo village implement the Supreme Court judgement.
“To ensure peaceful resolution of the matter, we wrote the Court which issued the warrant of possession in 2013.
“Consequently, in 2016, with the Surveyor-general of the State, we went for the demarcation of the boundary in line with the order of the Supreme Court judgement.
“During the exercise, we were attacked by the Ikhuenbo people; many of us were shot even while security personnel were on ground to keep the peace and order.
“As I speak, the records are available with the police; Chris Ejike was the State Commissioner of Police as at that time.”
Owenaze alleged that Ikhuenbo people are saying the Supreme Court judgement was compromised hence it should be jettisoned.
Instead, they are relying on Victor Edoror led – 2016 Edo State House of Assembly mediation which of course cannot supersede a Supreme Court judgement, he argued.
“On 30 January, 2017, two members of Iguomo village; Solomon Osayi and Osamudiamen Erhunmwunse were murdered by Ikhuenbo people and there was gun fire exchange with security operatives who came to the scene with some sustaining bullet wound of different degree.
“Some of these persons were arrested, detained by the police but have since been released to continue with their acts of violence against us.
“Now that the Supreme Court judgement we have is being violated by Ikhuenbo people suspected with the aid of powerful elements in the society and security agencies, we are constrained to once again cry out for help before the situation degenerates further into unpleasant tales.
“We therefore plead for the urgent intervention of all relevant authorities particularly; the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II, and Edo State Government because we cannot continue to fold our hands while what rightfully belongs to us is taken away from us and we are being attacked and killed for daring to raise our voice.”
Comrade Stanley Osaze a native speaking on behalf of Iguomo people gave strength to the story of Owenaze.
“For me, it is very obvious as I suspect that the security agencies specifically; the Police are colluding with this people.
“This is because I see no reason why these elements will be perpetrating crime and they are allowed to be.
“Though I cannot accuse the current Commissioner of Police because he has been outstanding, and ready to confront these kind of persons unleashing mayhem on innocent people.
“The CP has been doing it in other areas; I plead that he should extend his tentacles to Iguomo village. This is because Ikhuenbo village on daily basis violates the law against us.
“Thank God the executive Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki, the Chief Security Officer of the State is up and doing and I strongly believe that he would swing into action to finally address the situation we have on our hands here.
“Election just ended, and our voting pattern here; because we know politics is about interest and what was our interest? If we help return him to power, he would give us infrastructure and that which rightly belongs us.
“We have won in all the Courts of competent jurisdiction as the case may be. But these elements believe they can decide the future of Nigeria and our well gotten Court judgement with the barrel of a gun.
“We are law abiding people, we cannot resort to engaging in communal war but we have the right to self defense which we do not want to deploy for the now.
“Rather, we are appealing to all relevant authorities, the security agencies to intervene. This is because the primary responsibility of Government is security of life and property which we expect Government to deploy here.
“We want to also warn members of the public not to do any property business with Ikhuenbo people because it would be at their own risk as Iguomo people are not prepared to give away an inch of its land area for any reason.”
Efforts to reach Ikhuenbo people for reaction as at the time of filing in this story was unsuccessful.
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