*As CSOs urge authorities to rein on ‘criminal gangs’

Suspected thugs acting at the behest of Mr Etinosa Ighodaro, the youth Leader (Okaeghele) of Iyowa Village in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, have allegedly attacked a Benin based human rights activist and three other Nigerians over a protracted boundary dispute between members of his Village -Iyowa and the neighbouring Iguikhimwin Village in the Local Government.

Mr Martins Idada, Mr Ojo Osarobo, Mr Christopher Ukpegbe and the activist, Aimuamwonsa Igbinomwanhia were attacked during a fact-finding mission to resolve a boundary conflict with elders of the two Villages on June 11, 2020.

The abominable act was said to have been carried out during a peace meeting between Iguikhomwin and Iyowa Village from both Villages at the instance of the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Monday Osaigbovo who got a close shave with death.

Condemning the act of terror by merchants of evil at a Press Conference on Tuesday, the Coordinator-General of Edo Civil Society Organization, Leftist Omobude Agho, said the organization had received a petition from elders of Iguikhimwin Village alleging encroachment by Iyowa Village, which prompted the mediators to interven and in the process, they were attacked by the hoodlums.

He further alleged that they were beaten up by the armed thugs who abducted them at the residence of Mr Ighodaro for hours before the activist, Ikpomwonsa escaped by the whiskers while three others were arrested by police operatives and thereafter thrown into detention without any diligent investigation.

Omobude, also demanded for the unconditional release of remaining three mediators by police authorities and recommended the arrest and prosecution of the youth Leader of Iyowa Village and his zealots over alleged “abuse of power” as a deterrent to other oppressors in Nigeria society.

The Coordinator-General, urged the Government and the Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II to rein on the resurgence of criminal gangs in the State to harass, intimidate and annex Communities like Vassal States.

A medical and legal report from Edo State Hospital Management Board which was seen by our Correspondent, indicates that 44-year-old Mr AIMUAMWONSA IGBINOMWANHIA who had been Hospitalised as a result of the injuries he sustained in the attack with images, stated the obvious.

Reacting to the allegation, Mr Etinosa Ighodaro, the youth Leader (Okaeghele) of Iyowa Village, feigned ignorance of the attack, but admitted that he helped in the rescue of the individuals the brawl.

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