Edo State Government on Saturday, April 27th, 2021, said it approved the revocation of South Uneme in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state owing to the persistent violent communal clashes which has claimed several lives in the community.
A special announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government(SSG), Barrister Osarodion Ogie said, “the state government has also withdrawn the appointment of His Royal Highness Benjamin Ikani as the Oliola of Uzanu clan of South East Uneme with immediate effect.
Going further, the state government said its action is predicated on the incessant and flagrant disregard to peace agreement and government’s directive to maintain peace in Uzanu community and it’s environs by the Oliola.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of the State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, had threatened that the state government would be forced to issue arrest warrant on Prince Clem Agba, Minister of State for Budget and Planning over his role in fanning the ember of war within communities in the state.
He stated this in an earlier enlarged meeting between warring communities where the Uzanu leadership displayed outright disdain to abide by government’s position on the communal dispute threatening to cause unrest in the state, forcing government to come out with a lasting solution on the issue.
Trouble started early in the year when Igiode Community accused Prince Clem Agba, who is from Uzanu clan, of removing government beacon demarcation and trespassed deep into Igiode land.
The action of the minister was predicated to undermine government earlier White Paper issued two years ago on the adjustment and demarcation of the boundaries which once restored peace and normalcy.
With the dissolution of Uzanu clan, the Uzanu village has been returned under the leadership of His Royal Highness, George Egabor the Okumagbe of Uwanno Kingdom as the office of Oliola no longer exist.
