Residents of Inikorogha express sigh of relief after 12 years of captivity

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

The residents of the Inikorogha community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State have expressed a sigh of relief after 12 years of what they described as captivity.

The community both home and diaspora converged in harmony on April 29, the first in 12 years of the reign of a dreaded ex-militant leader simply identified as Robert Okubo who holds sway in the community.

It was learned at press time that many who spoke against the unruly attitude of the ex-militant leader were sent exiled or incapacitated.

This singular posture had made leaders and responsible youths not visit the community for the past 12 years of his reign. But history was made on April 29, when the community gathered peacefully in love and harmony to install an interim community administration after 12 years. Those who spoke on the backdrop said the last exco imposed on the community by the ex-militant leader lasted for six years.

Sequel to petitions and several complaints by residents, activists and community leaders of the unbearable situation in the community, the governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki and the commissioner of police in the state waded into the restive situation of the community.

Precisely on early 12th April, a combined team of security men including the soldiers, policemen, Operatives of Special Force and Edo state security network stormed the community in a view of returning normalcy to the community.

Upon the deployment of the security Operatives those who were holding the community ransom for years fled to self-exile, a development residents described as liberation from 12 years of captivity.

Reporters who visited the community saw a massive security presence in the community. Asked whether the security would be leaving soon, a security official said they are not leaving soon but would continue to comb the community of bad eggs.

Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Security simply identified as Hon. Pere Wikirigha
who expressed relief of captivity said he had been exiled for 12 years, and apart from election days which he normally goes with security men, April 29 was the first time he was stepping feet in the community to work freely.

Another identified as China Samuel said he was shot by a younger brother of the self-exiled ex-militant leader and was the barely surviving the bullet injury since then, Saturday, April 29 was the first time he is coming back to the community after two years of the ugly incident.

Others interviewed also spoke in the same vein.

However, the people of Inikorogha profoundly thanked His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki for coming to the rescue of the community, adding that since the deployment of security personnel in the community on 12th April 2023, the community had greatly enjoyed peace and freedom.

While addressing indigenes of the community, elder David Akande, Philip Polo, women and youths in the community appreciated Comrade Daniel Ezekiel and Hon. Goldstime Ogidiga for being resilient in the fight against injustice in the community.

More Details later…