By Adamu David
Residents of Ikole community in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State have sought the intervention of the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, over the alleged destruction of their farmlands and crops by one Monday Igbinoba.
The residents called on the governor and the Benin monarch during a protest on Wednesday at the secretariat of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Benin City.
They alleged that the destruction was masterminded by the said Monday Igbinoba, who they claimed to be a self-imposed acting eldest person in the community.
The spokesperson of the protesting residents, Mr Elvis Obaruyi, noted that they are pained by the destruction of their crops.
Obaruyi, who is also the secretary of the community, added that the development has inflicted hardship on them and therefore called for the intervention of the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the Oba of Benin.
He alleged that the destruction of their farmlands and crops was done by the said Igbinoba in connivance with a company in the community.
Obaruyi alleged: “This Monday Igbinoba
came to our community years ago as an agent and he has sold the entire community to a company without our knowledge.”
When contacted, Mr Monday Igbinoba, who referred the newsmen to his secretary, Mr James Enofe Omoregie, explained that the issue of land given to the company was agreed upon by all the elders in the community, including himself.
Igbinoba, who said that he is currently the acting Odionwere of the community, added that the issue of who becomes the substantive Odionwere would soon be settled by the palace of the Oba of Benin.
He said the community would be meeting with the Oba’s palace on June 10, 2025 on the matter.
