Tension in Edo community over murder incident, detention of alleged murderer

There is tension in an Edo community of Ekiugbo in Youths Uhunwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, at the moment sits on the edge over the murder of a youth in the community, Ikpomwonsa Omoruyi, and the detention of the suspect in the case, Justin Omoruyi, by the operatives of the  Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team of the Police in Abuja.

The youths of the community have therefore called on the police authorities both in the Edo State Police Command and the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served in the case. 

The community claimed that the suspect allegedly committed the offence in the company of other suspects said to be at large, adding that the clumsy way the matter was being handled had heightened tension in the rusty community, which they said could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the area, if not properly managed.  

Members of the community also fingered top senior security, the head of the Edo State Vigilante Service, Mr Haruna Yusuf, of trying to shield the said suspects and called on Governor Godwin  Obaseki to call his security aide to order.

In a swift reaction, Yusuf denied any  involvement in the incident, adding that he learnt that  some fake vigilantes were mobilised to the community  by an APC chieftain, which led to the shoot out

“I’m too busy to have time for all that rubbish. The police in Edo and Abuja are handling the matter so if anyone is making any allegation or petition, he is just wasting his time.” 

However, the leaders of the troubled community through the chambers of their solicitors, Douglas Ogbankwa law firm, in a petition to the Commissioner of Inspector General of Police,  titled “Petition of murder, Attempted murder, Waging Communal War, Illegal Possession of Fire Arms Cultism, violence and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace” urged the police authority “to protect the legal rights and safety of the inhabitants of Ekiugbo community.”

Part of the petition reads: “That our client is the Ohen of Ekiugbo village according to the authority given to him by the Benin Traditional Council, Oba’s Palace, Benin City to take charge of the administration of the village.

“That the Petition addressed to the IGP, Edo State Police Command is being investigated by the anti-cultism unit and the petition is addressed to the AIG, zone 5 headquarter is being investigated by the surveillance unit.

“That arrest was made in both matters and guns were recovered from suspects. That on Tuesday, the 12th of October, 2021 in the forenoon, Chief Okhu Omanronyi Erhunmwense, the Ohen of Ekiugbo village received four visitors at his home. The visitors are relatives of Chief Okhumanronyi  Erhunmwense namely, Martin Ebohon, Osas Osayande, Kelvin Omere and Ikpomwonsa Omoruyi.

“That on their way back home in the afternoon after the visit, they were attacked by armed men led by Justin Omoruyi along Ogheghe road, Ekiugbo community.

“That some men dressed in Army uniform and Nigeria Police Vigilante came to the scene of the shootout, the Nigeria Police vigilante was identified as Kennedy Akhimien one Barnabas, Unity Ugbo Amovie and others.

“We are begging the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police to conduct a very thorough investigation.”

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