Edo Community denies desertion reports over fake obituary poster

FEW weeks after it was reported that unknown persons printed the obituary poster of one Chief Clifford Osawaru and pasted them in Okhunmwun in Ovia North East Local Council of Edo State while he is still alive, and subsequent reports that the community had been deserted because of alleged investigation into the incident by security agencies, elders, leaders and youths of the community yesterday denied that they have deserted their community even as they reiterated that there was no crisis in the community, contrary to reports.

The people trooped out in their numbers yesterday to receive journalists who visited the community to verify the claims of alleged crisis and desertion. They alleged that there were attempts by Osawaru to take over the community by force and that his failure to achieve that resulted in the alarms which they described as false, an allegation Osawaru has since denied.

Speaking, chairman of the community, Louis Uhamen alleged that in the past, the same Osawaru had hidden his wife and alleged that she was kidnapped, prompting the police to arrest some members of the community. He added that the alleged printing of his obituary posters may have also been carried out by him.

He alleged that on another occasion, the same Osawaru set fire on his “rickety” vehicle and alleged that the incident was caused by some youths in the community.

They alleged that the obituary story was a ploy to keep leaders of the community out of circulation to enable him take over the affairs of the area.

They also said Pa Osarobo Ogboe is the authentic Odionwere (village head) of the community adding that Ogboe is in possession of all the necessary documents making him the village head.

The community said Igbinoghodua Odigie was never recognised as the village head. They appealed to the public and the media to disregard Osawaru’s claims and that no member of the community is on the run as being speculated and that the entire community is at peace.

Osawaru had called on the police in Edo State to come to his rescue and investigate the presence of his obituary posters even as he pointed accusing fingers on youths in the community for allegedly behind his travails over disputes related to land ownership and sales.

He disclosed that leaders of the community, led by the Odiowere Chief Igbinoghodua Odigie, had obtained a perpetual injunction which restrained the youths from their “illegal” activities and the attempt by one Pa Osarobo Ogboe, backed by the youths, to install himself as the new Odiowere of the area contrary to the position of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba NedO Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa who declared that the palace does not wade into a matter that is before a police station and the court.

He also denied allegations of planning his wife’s kidnap and setting his car ablaze.