Youths and leaders of Ekiugbo Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State have called on the Police High Command in the State and Force Headquarters, Abuja to carry out a thorough investigation over the killing of one Ikpomwonsa Omoruyi the act allegedly carried out by a group led by one Justin Omoruyi now said to be in the custody of Special Weapon and Tactics(SWAT) team of the Police in Abuja.
The suspect was said to have allegedly committed the offence in company of other suspects said to now be at large and the action has heightened tension in the rural/agrarian community of Ekiugbo fuelling fear of a breakdown of law and order in the locality.
Members of the community have accused Haruna Yusuf, a senior security aide to Governor Godwin Obaseki, of shielding the said suspects using the Vigilante Service under his control while calling on the governor to call his security aide to order.
However, reacting to our correspondent’s enquiries in a phone chat, Mr. Haruna Yusuf denied what he called the wild allegations against him, adding that those making the allegations are just chasing shadows as he has nothing to do with their issue.
“In any case since they have taken up the issue with the police high command in Benin and Abuja they should just be patient for the outcome of the investigation been carried out,” he stressed.
Going further, he stated “I’m too busy to have time for all that rubbish. Am I a operating police station or what?”
However, leaders of the troubled community through the chambers of their solicitors, Douglas Ogbankwa Law Firm in a petition to the Inspector General of Police urged the police authority to protect the legal rights and safety of the inhabitants of Ekiugbo Community.
Parts of the petition reads: “That our client is the Ohen of Ekiugbo village according to the authority given to him by the Benin Traditional Council, Oba’s Palace, Benin City to take charge of the administration of the village.
“That the Petition addressed to the IGP and Edo State Police Command is being investigated by the anti-cultism unit and the petition addressed to the AIG Zone 5 headquarters is being investigated by the surveillance unit.
“That arrest was made in the matter and guns were recovered from suspects. That on Tuesday, 12th of October, 2021 in the forenoon, Chief Okhu Omanronyi Erhunmwense, the Ohen of Ekiugbo village, received visitors at his home. The visitors are relatives of Chief Okhumanronyi Erhunmwense namely, Martin Ebohon, Osas Osayande, Kelvin Omere and Ikpomwonsa Omoruyi.
“That on their way back home in the afternoon after the visit, they were attacked by armed men led by Justin Omoruyi along Ogheghe Road, Ekiugbo Community.
“We are begging the Commissioner of Police and Inspector General of Police to conduct a very thorough investigation.”
