Edo Govt Intervenes, Orders Release Of Detained Village Heads

By Ayodele Oni

Following the protest by the people of Ulegun community in Edo state, and to douse tension, the detained Head of the community and its Chief Priest have been released.

People of Ulegun in Okha Local Government, had embarked on protests since Monday over the detention of the Village Head, Eghosasare Omoregie and the Chief Priest Philip Uwuoroya by the Police on the orders of the Oba of  Benin.

The Village Heads were said to have been invited to the Palace of the Benin Monarch a week ago to resolve an issue of land dispute but were abducted and detained at a Police post close to the Palace.

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, on Wednesday ordered the release of the Village Heads following the intervention of the State Government.

The people had protested the alleged demolition of over 80 houses in their community, as well as the arrest and detention of the Enogie and Ohen at the Oba Market Police Station by a group of Chiefs, led by the Secretary of Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.

The duo was said to have been invited by Irabor towards finding a lasting peace over a disputed land when they were arrested, but have now regained freedom following the intervention of the State Government and the Commissioner of Police.

During the protest at the Government House, in Benin City, on Monday, the community’s Queen Mother, Rose Omoregie, alleged that the community Head was called for a meeting last Wednesday and that since then, he had not returned home.

Mrs. Omoregie explained that the Enogie inherited the land in dispute between the Ulegun Community and Ikhiri Community from his grandfather, and that the said land belongs to the Ulegun Community.

Urging the immediate release of the Enogie and Ohen, she said the dispute over the land has since 1974 been settled and resolved in favour of the Ulegun community from the Palace of Oba Akenzua up to the Supreme Court.