5 Edo Ijaw Kingdoms Accuse Benin Youth of Attack on Members at High Court Premises, Petition Gov Okpebholo, Security Agencies

By Eric Chukwunoso, Warri

The Soron (Five) Ibe-Ijaw Kingdoms of Edo State has called on the Edo State Government and security agencies to investigate and prosecute leaders of the Otedo Youths over an alleged vicious attack on Ijaw indigenes at the Edo State High Court premises in Benin City on October 6, 2026.

The Ijaw leadership in the statement at a world press conference at Gelegelegbene Community in Ovia South Local government area of Edo State on Tuesday, alleged that its members, including Archbishop Godwyns Soroaye, Mr. Edwin Ikinbor, Mr. Tena Donyegha and Mr. Friday Sode, were attacked while appearing at High Court 4 in a suit filed by Ughoton Community against Gelegelegbene Community.

The statement which was signed by its President, Elder Edmund Tiemo, Vice President, High Chief Robinson Ogunkoruwei, General Secretary, Toru-Ibe Agagha Esq, and Youth Leader, Dr. Freedom Atigbi said over 50 assailants with the insignia of Otedo Youths and led by Osaze Amas Edobor and Uwadiae Iyoha trailed the victims and their lawyers from the courtroom to the court canteen at about 10:30 a.m. after sitting, adding that the court CCTV cameras had the video of brandishing battle axes and short guns by the assailants.

The leadership claimed the youths later trailed them to the exit gate and viciously attacked the Ijaw Delegation, attempting to force some into waiting vehicles to abduct them before the intervention of the High Court security officers and the DPO of Aideyan Police Division. It said the victims sustained injuries and had their clothes torn, adding that the incident was captured by the court’s CCTV.

The Ijaws further linked the incident to a prior social media mobilisation notice allegedly posted by one Stafford V.I.O Iyonmahan calling Bini youths to the court, and cited two earlier alleged threats, including an incident on September 27 at the NUJ Press Centre in GRA, Benin, led by one Iyamu Osaro, Chairman of Edo State Consumer Protection Committee, and an alleged assassination threat made on Facebook by Uwadiae Iyoha a.k.a Higher Man.

The five Ijaw Kingdoms in a united voice, warned that Ijaw indigenes cannot be intimidated, saying the attack in the temple of justice was worrisome and capable of triggering ethnic crisis if not checked.

The Ijaw leaders in the state therefore urged Governor Monday Okpebholo, the AIG Zone 5, the Edo State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved and to prevent further attacks on Ijaw indigenes in the state.