In a petition jointly signed by David Ogbeide, David Omoregie, Samuel Okunghea, Albert Ogiemeonyi and Phillip Ogbemudia, the elders lamented the use of policemen by some members of the Ogiamien Family to harass the indigenes of the community.
They recalled that the most recent harassment was last Saturday, October 27 when a group of thugs drove the community in about seven vehicles in the company of fierce looking policemen and invaded the small town in a commando style.
During the invasion, they said that a woman taking care of her sick child by name Mrs Joy Erhabor Osagiede and a 65-year-old Pa Aghafekhokian Osagiede was mercilessly beaten and whisked to the State Criminal Investigation Department where they are currently being detained.
They wrote that the heart of the matter has to do with a land dispute between some members of the Ogiamien family and Obaretin community which is currently the subject of litigation before a Benin High Court in Suit No. B/171/2018.
The elders penned: “The strategy of the Ogiamien children is the use of money and land to induce some bad eggs in the police to harass the indigenes of the Obaretin community with trump up charges. The people of Obaretin now live in perpetual fear.”
They pleaded with the police boss to call his men to order as their conduct is not only tarnishing the good image of the police but also breaching the fundamental rights of the people of Obaretin.