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By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The people of Obaretin Village have denied the murder allegation raised against them by their neighbor: the people of Ubiaza Village.
Both Villages in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, have been enmeshed in a lingering land dispute for several years now.
Few weeks ago, in a separate news report and a video widely circulated on the social media, the people of Ubiaza Village alleged that their neighbor again attacked them with guns and other dangerous weapons.
In the attack, one Isaac Onoriode a resident, was shot dead and now lying in the mortuary.
Reacting, Osarobo Osagiede a native; on behalf of the youths of Obaretin, denied the allegation.
“To our knowledge, about a month ago, there was news of a murder amongst the Ogiamien family who claim to be Ubiaza Community.
“A section of the people there cried out that some armed men came to attack them and one of their boys: Isaac Onoriode who was staying with one Princess Ogiamien was shot dead.”
He alleged, Edwin Ogiemwense, a former Okaighele in Ubiaza and his counterpart: a former youth Head in Obaretin mobilized the armed men in the attack.
“We were not responsible for the killing of Isaac Onoriode but the Ogiamien family, who claim to be Obaretin Village in their internal crisis.
“Also, we were not involved in any protest over the killing of Isaac Onoriode as the Edwin Ogiemwense group erroneously want the public to believe.”
Their allegation is diversionary; only to cover up their crime as they are the culprits, he said.
Appealing that the name of Obaretin Village should be taken out of whatever issues that may be confronting them, they said, the police should be allowed to do their job.
One of the elders in the Village, Samuel Okunghae corroborated the narration of Osagiede.
“Nobody from Obaretin Village; not even the youths were involved in the said killing.
“We only heard that in their internal fight, somebody was shot dead.”
In the same vein, Lucky Osifo Ogiamien, a native of Ubiaza Village affirmed the narration of Obaretin people.
Edwin Ogiemwense is a dissident who terrorizes everyone including the elders with police from Abuja, he said.
According to him, Ogiemwense led armed men to wreak havoc in the Village during which, one Isaac Onoriode was shot dead.
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Bello Kontongs (DSP) when contacted for reaction, affirmed that Ubiaza Village is in internal crisis.
Kontongs told ‘Spynews’ that on the 16 August, 2021, he got a report from the Divisional Police Officer (D.P.O) in-charge of Ologbo Command, that there is leadership tussle in Ubiaza.
Adding, that Edwin Ogiemwense; leader of one of the factions led armed men to attack the Village during which one Isaac Onoriode was shot dead.
As a result, the accused, Edwin Ogiemwense who is said to be on the run; has been declared wanted by the Police.
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