Ijaw youth and half-naked women pursued over 25 police officers and workers sent to build residential estates for the Oba of Benin at Gelegele-gbene. A community in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State, which has been in contention between the Ijaws and Binis in the state.
The police officers were to provide security for the workers, but Gelegele natives sent them away.
Austin Ozobo National President of the Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, said that the Oba of Benin sent people to the community to commence the construction of residential estates. Stating that it was quite provocative. They also a seized land document in their possession.
The seized document is a plan showing proposed site for residential estates for HRM Omo N’Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin at Gelegele village area, Ovia North East local government area, Edo state, covering an area of 300 hectares.
The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, warned the Edo State Government, Oba of Benin and security agencies to stay clear from Gelegele so as not to stir unnecessary crisis. Secretary, IYC, western zone, Doubra Okotete, in a statement, said Ijaw youths condemn in totality the invasion of Gelegelegbene community by Benin people.
Gelegele is one of the historical Ijaw communities of Ovia North East local government area of Edo state.This Ijaw- speaking community was founded by Pa Olugbo Ikpiti several centuries ago.
Gelegele is a border community between Ijaw communities and Edo communities on one hand and also it is a boundary community of Olodiama clan and Egbema clan of Delta and Edo states.
