Showdown In Edo As Obaseki Dares Oba Over Youth Group

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State was at the Military Hospital, Benin City, on Sunday, to check on soldiers who sustained injuries during an attack by assailants in Okomu community vowing that the government would forge ahead with the ban of the Okaighele Youth Group as against the desire of the Oba of Benin, HRM Oba Ewuare II.

Obaseki, who expressed his displeasure over the incident, vowed that the State Government would fish out individuals and groups behind the attack vowing that the Okaighele group which the Oba has defended as Benin culture will be banned.

GWG.ng reports that the Oba of Benin had on June 7, 2024, kicked against the action of the Edo State Government.

While addressing the Okaigheles who protested to the Oba’s Palace, Chief Osaro Idah, the Obazelu of Benin, who spoke on behalf of the monarch, said Okaighele was not something that could be banned given that it belongs to Benin ancestors.

According to the Palace, Okaighele represents a segment of the aged-long Benin traditional administrative structure.

“Okaighele didn’t start in this Century. As you have age grades, and senior sons, so we have them. When Odionwere (village head) is appointed by the Oba, Okaighele assist the Odionwere in the daily administration of the domain on daily basis.”

The governor, who was represented by the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, promised to foot the medical bills incurred at the hospital.

Obaseki, who said the state is confronted with the issues of cultism and Okaigheles, noted that the information available to the government showed that Okaigheles are largely responsible for the threat to the security of Edo State.

According to him, three soldiers were badly wounded.

“We have one here now while others are worse. Their gunboats were destroyed. We don’t want a situation where we will be losing soldiers to reckless, dangerous cult groups.

“All Edo people, irrespective of party affiliation, must support the government in this fight against cultism and killings in the state as the state has lost over 150 people as a result of the acts.

“We thank the Nigerian Army, a responsible organisation that doesn’t take the laws into their own hands. If not it would have been a different story.

“We are here to visit the soldiers and appeal to them that the Edo State Government will take care of the bills incurred.

“It is not right for the military personnel to be attacked in any community here in Edo State. A few weeks ago, we were aware of what happened in a community in Delta State where over twenty (20) soldiers were killed by youths.

“We will start an operation this week to flush these people out, as we have a lot of security information and data that will help us flush them out.

“Just as the State Government banned Okaigheles and their activities, some people are condemning the ban. Members of the public should ignore it and this has encouraged those that went to Okomu forest to attack soldiers protecting our assets.

“We advise those that belong to any cult group to return the arms they have and renounce their membership of any cult groups they belong to,” he said.

The governor appealed to leaders of Edo South Senatorial District to discourage the youths who are armed to desist from acts of violence as they are not only attacking soldiers but also civilians on the streets.

He said the state government would not tolerate such acts, so as to prevent what happened in Odi, Bayelsa State, and the recent Okuama incident in Delta State.

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