From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Disagreement over customary burial practice reportedly prescribed by a shrine has degenerated to crisis in Oja community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, resulting in youths of the community attacking and burning the palace of the Olojah of Ojah, HRH Oba D. S. Lawani and the private residence of the Commissioner for Social Development and Gender, Mrs Christabel Eremah Ekwu.
Trouble was said to have started on Monday when a woman died and according to a member of the community “after some findings, it was said that the woman was killed by the shrine in Ojah so the community wanted to bury the woman as usual which is the sky burial that is throwing the dead bodies in the shrine on the hills”.
But the traditional ruler and the Commissioner were said to have advocated a stoppage to that kind of burial and they were suspected to have invited security agencies to stop the process.
Consequently, youths of the community clashed with the security operatives, allegedly attacking them with stones and pushed them away just as they attacked the palace of the traditional ruler, vandalized it and burnt his SUV parked in the compound while the residence of the commissioner was also razed down.
A leader and House of Assembly aspirant from the area, Joy Akpaida, condemned the attacks and called for peace.
Similarly, the Okpameri Traditional Rulers Association (OKPATRA) yesterday condemned the destruction of the buildings and called for peace in a statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, HRH Óba Sule Idaiye and Victor Arogunyo, adding that they would consult to resolve the issues.
“The leadership of Okpameri Traditional Rulers Association(OKPATRA) condemned in its entirety the wanton destruction of the Palace of the Olojah of Ojah, HRH Oba D S Lawani and the burning down of his vehicle as a result of internal disagreement in the community that is easily reconcilable while in the same breath condemning the total burning down of the residence of the Honourable Commissioner For Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs Christabel Omoh Eremah Ekwu.
“While appreciating the proactive role and intervention of the Executive Chairman of Akoko- Edo LGC, Tajudeen Alade and the Chairman of Okpameri Description Union(ODU) Dr Kingsley Ekundayo and his team for their respective peace moves, we crave the indulgence and understanding of all the critical stakeholders of Ojah community to continue to maintain peace and harmony while OKPATRA consults with the relevant stakeholders in the local government including the Akoko-Edo Traditional Rulers Council to resolve all the contending issues with a view to finding a lasting solution as soon as it is practicable”, the statement said.
At press time, the State Command of the Nigerian Police said it was waiting for reports from the Divisional Police Officer in Igarra.