Residents of Agbonmoba village in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State have cried out over alleged attacks on the village situated in Upper Ekehuan Road axis of the state by some non-natives, also from Ikoro in the Local Government Area of the State.

During a peaceful protest to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II in Benin City, elders of the village also expressed displeasure over their stolen Ukhure (ancestral staff), which is the village symbol of authority.

One of the elders in Agbonmoba village, Mr Pius Odeh, said that the Ogua-edion (Elders Porch) was desecrated by persons suspected to be from the neighbouring village, thereby denying the people of Agbonmoba access to ancestral traditional worship.

He appealed to concerned authorities, including Oba Ewuare II, the state Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki and security agencies to stop the reign of terror in the area.

He recalled that indigenes of Agbonmoba had lived with non natives in harmony since the village was founded in 1818.

According to Odeh, trouble started in 2011 when some outlaws by way of conquest, began to claim ownership of the area, thereby compelling the indigenes to pay homage to them (foreigners), an act considered as an abomination in the land

“The invaders (non natives) want the aboriginal settlers (Benin people in the area) to pay homage to them, which is an aberration in Edo State, according to him, after they had breached the existing boundary delineation between Agbonmoba and Ikoro village in 2021.”

Another resident of Agbonmoba, Mrs Itohan Aghama alleged that several persons have fled their village since the uprising started and therefore called on concerned authorities to secure the area in order for economic activities to thrive.

Also speaking, Mr. Enorense Iredia, an indigene of the village, alleged that the hostilities resumed a few days ago after the Ogua-edion was invaded by hoodlums, aided by some of the non natives in the area.

He also noted that “the people of Agbonmoba are now afraid to return to Agbonmoba village and also to go to their farms due to the incessant harassment and continuous threats of elimination.

“They said that they are now the King in Benin and we should pay homage to them. God forbid. There can’t be two kings in Benin. We do not have guns and cutlasses to fight.

Receiving the petition from residents of Agbonmoba, Chief Uyi Okungbowa, the Ogua of Benin and Chief Johnson Ikponmwonsa Iyamu, the Oseazegioba of Benin, advised the protesters to be at peace and shun violence.

The palace Chiefs who received Agbonmoba people on behalf of the Benin monarch, assured that their grievances would get to the appropriate authority.

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