By The9jaTREND
The Obazuwa Community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State has called on Benin monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N' Oba N' Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin Kingdom to come to their rescue as Ijaw settlers in Obazuwa Community have taken over their farm, selling their land and at the same tine depriving them from going to their farm.
The called was made today, the 23rd day of July, 2021 at the Obazuwa Community Town Hall in Ovia North-East local government area of Edo State.
Addressing newsmen, the Odionwere of the Community, Pa. Aimuamwenosa Oyemwense, said that since the existence of Obazuwa Community, they have never experience any conflict with neighbouring communities.
"What we are experiencing in our community is something that is baffling us. The people who we allowed as settlers (Ijaws) in Iko Community who are Uzon have taken over Obazuwa Community. They went to fight the Benins in Gelegele Community, and they now turn to us. They are settlers and cannot lay claim to our land.
"I have never in my life hear that Uzon owed any land in Benin Kingdom. What they are known for is fishery in our river (Ovia river). We allowed them to settled in our community because we are peace loving people. We thought we can leave together in harmony but reverse is the case.
"The initial place we agreed for the Ijaws to settle is known as Iko. They later moved towards the riverine area, they went and climbed the hill to the riverine area to settled. Our Ezomon then was the first person who was leaving in the riverine area of our community before the Ijaws went to joined him.
"It may interest you to note that the resident of Odionwere of Iko Community was burnt and levelled down by the Ijaw settlers.
"Since the existence of Iko Community, we have had about 5 Odionwere and there have never be any dispute between the Benins and Iko Community, neither have there be any dispute whatsoever. We have be farming together as brothers and sisters.
"Whenever we go to farm, the Ijaw settlers chased us with guns and weapons, we cant go to our farmland, we sleep with our eye open because we afraid they might attack us in the night."
Going further, Pa. Oyemwense added, "Sometime ago, when l was traveling to Benin City to see His Royal Majesty. Oba Ewuare II, l received a call that Ijaws are fighting labourers my wife took to the farm.
"We have been on this struggle for decade and we finally secured judgement against the Ijaws some time ago. Even with the judgment, they are still fighting us, we have nobody to cry to hence we are appealing to our Royal Father, Ova of Benin to come to our rescue."
"The Benins who are the rightful owner of Obazuwa Community land are gradually turning to become tenants in their land," he emphasized.
Also speaking, Mr. Andrew Ohenhen opined, "this is our Obazuwa Community were l grew up to know that the community belong to the Benins. The name Obazuwa was given to this community by the then Oba of Benin Kingdom.The land belong to Obazuwa not Ijaws (Uzon) who are settlers."
Speaking on behalf of the women of Obazuwa Community, Mrs. Anna Igbinobun said, I was given birth in this community and we have never experience what is happening now. Ijaw who are settlers in Iko community are claiming that they owed Obazuwa Community. How is that possible?
"We do trade by barter with Ijaw settlers in Iko Community with the exchange of garri, yam and oil for fish.
"We are begging our Royal father, our reverend Oba, Oba Ewuare II to come to our rescue. We can't sleep with our eye open again for fear of being attack by the Ijaw settlers in Obazuwa community, we don't go to farm again, they have sold our land and we have no where to farm again. Come to our rescue our great Oba, Oba Ewuare II."
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