“We have no issue with Sawmiliers Association” -Concerned Riverine Sons and Daughters in Edo

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The Concerned Sons and Daughters of Riverine Area, Edo State has reiterated that their publication on 14/01/2025 in which they spoke about stockpilling of arms and raising of N2 billion funds was not directed at the noble body, rather it was meant for a notorious and unrepentant militant leader from Inikorogha community, Ovia South West, Edo State, who over the years with his criminal gang within and outside the state invaded Okomu national Forest illegally, fell several thousands of woods, moved them through water ways to Delta, Ondo and Lagos.

The body said through his nefarious activities over the years, he has allegedly killed their national heritage in the form of making forest not safe for animals, who are supposed to be under protection and the trees in particular for reservation, stating further that the continuous violation, invasion coupled with brigandage acts which fueled all manners of crisis like proliferation of arms, kidnapping, maiming, sea piracy, importation of militants from Bayelsa, Rivers and Arogbo to Inikorogha Community.

According to a statement by the National coordinator Hon. Godstime Ogidigba and Spokesperson Comrade Ezekiel Daniel, “Inikorogha community became the HUB of all shades of lawlessness, from there it spread to other communities. Their people’s lives became threatened, their property no longer safe, raping of both married and single women became the order of the day. Sea pirates took over the waterways, infact hell was let loose on the riverine axis. As law abiding citizens, not able to keep silent in the face of gangsters intimidating and destructive postures, they cried to government and various arms of security agencies to come to their rescue.This alarm yielded result in government banning all illegal logging activities Okomu national Forest, be it BC 10 etc up to this moment and equally deployed team of security agencies to the area.

“This radical approach brought down the above criminal activities down by 95 percent. So it was with great fear, worry and anxiety when they discovered that the same notorious militant and his terrorist gang were embarking on their nefarious path that brought pain, sorrow and blood to their people and heritage, hence their reason for quickly calling the attention of government and security agencies to the looming danger.

“A few days after this publication came out , 27/01/2025, 2 lorries was caught carting away logs of woods by Okomu national Forest security guards, despite government banning it. Sawmiliers association, a registered body with reputable personalities, doing business legitimately over the years with both government and individuals, were not part of the criminals, whose goal is to invade and desecrate Okomu national Forest. They have no doubt about their integrity and sincerity as men and women of honor.

“They said; God bless Edo state! God bless the federal Republic of Nigeria”, they concluded.