Edo Community cries for help over alleged ill conduct of Enogie

By Kingsley Abavo, Benin

The people of Uselu N’ Ahor Village, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State have cried out over what they termed: abandonment and high-handedness by their Enogie (Duke), HRH Osaro Omoregie.

They lament, since his installation as Enogie, the Village has not known peace.

Adding, he seldom lives amongst his people and only comes around when there is money for him to collect. Immediately after, he disappears till further notice.

Finding the slightest opportunity, he enjoys causing unrest in the Village as he often derives joy from frequent arrest of the youths with the Police, on trumped up allegations.

The latest; being arrest of several youths of the Village on Monday, 4 July, 2022 with Police from Abuja.

According to the people, Enogie Omoregie alleged, that they were responsible for the recent shooting to death of four natives of the Village and others wounded.

On the day, he invaded the Village with the Police who were said to had come in four loaded Hilux van and fully armed in a commando style, allegedly after shooting indiscriminately, they tear gassed an on going meeting of the elders with the youths and women, chasing everyone in sight.

Since the arrest, the Enogie has refused to come to the Village even when the elders and everyone have appealed to him, for an enlarged meeting to finding the way forward.

The shooting to death of the youths was said to have occurred at the Kara Market along the Benin by-pass express way, about four months ago by unknown gun men.

Also, the Okaighele (headship of the youths) of the Village Mike Enotionmwan was some time last year shot at the same Kara Market, by unknown gun men including one of his boys, who unfortunately lost his life.

He narrowly survived death and yet to fully recover from the devastating impact, as he is still under going medical treatment.

Up till date, the Police has not been able to identify nor arrest anyone as Mastermind, it was said.

But disturbingly in all of these happenings, the Enogie never bothered to come to the Village any day until he brought Police to arrest the youths, the people lament.

Led by the Ohen (Priest) of the Village, Igbinigie Uwoghiren and other elders, the people on Monday, 11July, 2022 in an enlarged meeting appealed to the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II, the State Government and security authorities to quickly come to their aid.

Lawrence Uhunwangho Ogieva, an elder spoke also in the same vein as Osaretin Idahosa, a mother of one of the arrested youths, and several women cried out against the alleged unfriendly character of the Enogie.

They appeal, he should return to live amongst them and give the much desired leadership. It had never been this bad in the Village, they added.

On behalf of the youths, Lucky Omosumwen and Elvis Edebiri corroborated all the narrations adding, that since the Enogie installation, he had never spent one full week living in their midst as their leader.

“He cannot live in the diaspora and be an Enogie in the Village at the same time. He does not live here. Since his coming, Uselu N’ Ahor has never known peace.

“We passionately appeal therefore to our great Oba, HRM Ewuare II, and the State Government to prevail on our Enogie to return home and do that which is expected of him.

“Also, we appeal, that they should help prevail on the Police to stop the incessant harassment and arrest of our youths, and peacefully do their legitimate job of thorough investigation into whatever matters before them.”

In 2018, HRM Oba Ewuare II had brokered peace between the Enogie and youths of Uselu N’ Ahor, instructing him to carry them along in his administration of the Village. But he seemingly has deviated, the people said.

However, as at the time of filing this report on Wednesday morning, all efforts to get Enogie Omoregie react to the outcry and allegations were not successful, as he keeps saying he was out of town and would not talk on the phone.