Ulegun Community Protests Alleged Detention of Community Head and Chief Priest

The members of the Ulegun community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State protested the alleged detention of their Enogie (Village Head), Sunday Eghosasere Omoregie, and the community's Ohen (Chief Priest), Philip Uwuoroya, by highly-placed personalities in the state. The protesters, including land developers, the mother of the community head, secretary to the community, and youths, converged on the Government House to appeal to Governor Godwin Obaseki for assistance in the immediate release of the community head and the chief priest detained at the Oba Market Police station. The villagers alleged that over 80 houses had been demolished by their tormentors, and they called on the governor to carry out a thorough investigation into the true ownership of the disputed lands and to arrest and prosecute those responsible.

Key Takeaways:

• The Ulegun community is protesting the alleged detention of their Enogie, Sunday Eghosasere Omoregie, and Ohen, Philip Uwuoroya, by highly-placed personalities in the state.
• The community members are seeking the intervention of Governor Godwin Obaseki to rescue their leaders who have been detained at the Oba Market Police station since last Wednesday.
• The community alleges that over 80 houses have been demolished by their tormentors, and they are calling for a thorough investigation into the disputed lands.
• The community's Queen Mother, Rose Omoregie, explained that the land dispute between the Ulegun and Ikhiri communities started in 1974 and that the Enogie inherited the disputed land from his grandfather.
• The Secretary to the community, Peter Aigbe, stated that the land where houses were demolished was not in dispute, as all cases concerning the land had been settled in favour of the community by the Supreme Court.
• The community's protesters commended the community for maintaining a peaceful protest and assured them that the state government would explore all necessary constitutional means to address their plight.

Statistics:

• Over 80 houses have been demolished by the community's tormentors.
• The land dispute between the Ulegun and Ikhiri communities started in 1974.
• The Enogie, Sunday Eghosasere Omoregie, has been detained at the Oba Market Police station since last Wednesday.
• The Ulegun community has appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to carry out a thorough investigation into the disputed lands.

Sources:

• Community members and protesters interviewed by journalists.
• Chief of Staff to the Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha, during a meeting with the protesters.
• Community leaders, including the Queen Mother, Rose Omoregie, and the Secretary to the community, Peter Aigbe.