Three persons
have been reportedly shot dead while several houses were razed during a reprisal
attack over a leadership tussle in Azagba community in Uhunmwode Local
Government Area of Edo State
Those killed
were identified as Osadolor (28), Amigolo Ighitu (45) and Ameosa Egbeobamwanye.
Following the
incident, some family members of two of the victims yesterday staged a protest
demanding for police protection of their community.
They accused
Charles of bringing thugs to cause mayhem in the community.
One of the
deceased’s niece, Loveth Odigie, said they were protesting to appeal to the government
to come to their aid at Azagba community.
“My brother,
Amigolo was pursued into our house and shot dead. The mother begged them but
they pushed her away. I don’t know what they are fighting for. The thugs came
and killed my brother.”
Another witness,
Elvis Ero said “he saw the thugs chasing Amigolo with a pistol and shot him
twice.
“Charles Egbe
has ruled for nine years and when we asked him for account, he refused. Instead
he brought thugs to our community. Several others have been injured since this
fight started. We went home to rejoice over our court victory before trouble
started”, he said.
But in his
reaction, Charles said he went with four boys to clean his house on Sunday when
his rival brought boys and dragged one of them away.
“The Ohen came
with his boys but he told them not to touch me. They took one of my boys away
and I was later told that he was shot. I called the police and it was around
7:30pm I heard that the boy died at the hospital. I don’t know what they are
saying now that another person was killed. I don’t know what happened in the
bush.
“My house at
Azagba has been set ablaze. They said I should not enter my house in the
village but I went there and they came to fight me. How can I take four boys to
go and fight. I did not take any thugs there and I did not know how many people
were killed. Police were in my house protecting me that day. The problem has
been on for the past six months.”
The leadership
tussle between the Community Development Association (CDA) chairman, Charles
Egbe and spriritual leader of the community, Nosakhare Ogieriakhi was said to
spanned over three years.
When contacted
yesterday the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo confirmed the
incident and said arrest has been made.
Tags
Society