By Solomon Ewela, Benin
Ekole Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, has raised the alarm over alleged destruction of their farm lands by one Monday Igbinoba.
The inhabitants of the community in their numbers, protested to the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, with songs and placards to express their displeasure.
Addressing Journalists on behalf of the community, the Secretary, Elvis Obaruyi, said the people of the community have been met with hardship since the destruction of their crops.
He accused Monday Igbinoba of being responsible for their present hardship.
Obaruyi alleged that the said Igbinoba is not a native of the community but came to settle there some years ago.
He said that they are so surprised that someone who came to settle in their community is now the person calling the shorts and allocating their farm lands to a company.
He also accused Igbinoba of conniving with a company in the community to destroy their crops thereby throwing the inhabitants into starvation.
His words: “This Monday Igbinoba is not from Ekole community. He came to our community years ago as an agent and he has sold the entire community to a company without our knowledge.
“He is also parading himself as the Odionwere of Ekole community. He is not from that community but he is bulldozing every part of our community, destroying the people’s crops, which is the major source of the livelihood of the people”, Obaruyi said.
Obaruyi further appealed to the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II and the Edo State government to urgently wade in and save the inhabitants of the area from total starvation and from the break down of laws and other in the community as they are known to be law abiding citizen of the state.
When contacted, Monday Igbinoba who referred the Journalist to his secretary, Mr. James Enofe Omoregie, said that the issue of land given to the company was agreed upon by all the elders in the community including himself.
Igbinoba who said that his currently the acting Odionwere of the community added that the issue of who becomes the substantive Odionwere might likely be resolved soon as they have been scheduled to meet with the Oba of Benin on June 10, 2025.
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