Edo Ijaw Community Debunks Alleged Political Vendetta, Intimidation of Leaders, Residents

•Says Criminal Suspects Chased out By Security Operatives Misleading the Public

•Hails Security Operatives For Restoring Peace In Inikorogha Community

By Peters Monday, Abuja

Following alleged political vendetta, intimidation and humiliation of leaders and residents peddled by one Timi Robert who among others has fled the Inikorogha community over alleged criminal activities, the community leaders, elders and youths of Inikorogha, an Ijaw community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, yesterday, refuted the allegation, while commending security agencies in the state for ridding the riverine community of criminal elements who had laid siege to the community for over 12years.

The leadership of the community urged members of the public to disregard allegations of political vendetta, intimidation and persecution as peddled by one Timi Roberts, adding that the report was mischievous, false and an attempt to mislead the gullible masses.

The community explained that Timi Robert, Okubo Robert, and Pepper Robert crying like Christmas goats of vendetta are not Inikorogha community leaders and were the alleged criminal gang terrorising the community for over 12 years which was recently chased off by the community with the help of security operatives.

According to the community, since the commencement of the massive deployment of security operatives, multinational companies, such as Okomu Oil Palm, Oseh River Rubber Estate, and others can now do business without being kidnapped and robbed by criminal gangs in the locality.

In a statement by the Chairman of Inikorogha Community, Mr Friday Benson, who spoke to newsmen on behalf of the community explained that the deployment of security in the community had no political undertone, adding that members of the All Progressives Congress, APC who are law-abiding are living happily and peacefully with others in the community and that only those involved in criminal activities are on the run.

The statement reads, “It is so unfortunate that this Timi Robert whose younger brother, a notorious militant, Okubo Robert, held the community in the jugular for the past 12 years but went on self-exile after refusing to honour the commissioner of police’s invitations, due to various crimes like murder, attempted murdered, kidnapping, sea piracy and illegal logging. He turned our community into a HUB of criminality in the whole riverine area, which necessitated the operation of clear black spots that are ongoing in the community.

“To further prove the brigandage nature of this Okubo Robert, last year, he wrote a petition to IGP which led to the arrest of Hon. Godstime Ogidigba and Hon. Daniel Ezekiel to STS in Abuja. The commander of the unit, retired CP, Kolo Yusuf, invited him, but for two weeks, he refused to honour the call, till the matter was transferred to Benin City. Since the case started coming up last year, he has not been in court for once.

The chairman buttressed that at no point was the Assistant Commissioner, (AC) state (C.I.D), Sani Fodio and CSP Williams Waba involved in the said operation clear black spots, reiterating that it was the commissioner of Police that was in charge of it.

Benson noted, “Inikorogha community has been relatively peaceful and safe for people with genuine intentions and possible investors to come and explore.

“Those who have political scores should settle without dragging the name of our community into such imbroglio.

“As we speak members of various political parties are living peacefully in our community and doing their business without any fear.

“To further buttress our position we are open to an independent investigation to ascertain our position that our community is in peace and members of various political parties are living in peace and tranquillity without intimidation of any kind.

“We also wish to state unequivocally that our community has zero tolerance for crime and criminality and will do everything within the ambit of the law to maintain law and order for our people, hence those who will want to cause disorder, terror and mayhem will be fished out and handed over to the security agencies no matter the political party he or she belongs.

“Inikorogha community is open to all and they should influence as members of the ruling party at the national level to bring development to the Inikorogha community rather than trying to paint the community in a bad light in other to achieve their narrowed interest.
And finally, we appeal to Mr President as a father to all to continue to treat all Nigerians as his own regardless of political, religious and ethnic affiliation,” they added.