Emotions ran high in Ojah community today, Sunday the 28th of January 2024 as the palace of Olojah, HRH Oba D. S Lawani Okogbe was raised down along side house of current commissioner for social development and gender issues, Hon Mrs Christabel Omo Ekwu by people believed to be worshippers of Ojah deity.
According to the leader of the group, Mr Esho Elohim Monday, trouble started when the wife of Mr Godwin Olorunfemi died mysteriously and the worshippers of Akeshi shrine claimed she was killed by their shrine and her body must be thrown to the shrine where animals would feast on her remains thereby negating the state government stance on sky burial which was outlawed since the 8th and 9th of December last year in a stakeholder’s engagement between Akoko-Edo traditional rulers, stakeholders and Edo state government because of its health related issues.
Speaking at the scene in the wee hours of this morning, the local government council chairman, Hon Tajudeen Alade Suleman Esq who swiftly mobilized the Ososo police division to the scene yesterday, bemoaned the hostage taking of one of the police personnel after they were assaulted and overwhelmed by the irate youths, calling on the deceased husband to ensure that nothing happened to the police officer before he was released by the chairman’s intervention.
Reports indicated that the council boss deployed a detachment of the military to the scene to quell the crisis after reaching out to their commanding officer at Bode.
Reports further indicated that they attacked the Military by throwing of stones but for Hon Tajudeen Alade who was on ground to warn against use of maximum force to forestall multiple casualties and in the process was able to rescue the commissioner’s mother to his residence in Igarra in a gestapo style.
The council helmsman said he was in touch with the governor who responded swiftly with a reinforcement from mopol 60 at Iyamoh in Estako west local government area in a coordinated effort to bring the situation under control, noting that much harm have been done by the worshippers before the security agencies could stem the ugly tide, while also explaining that the commissioner’s house was touched in the unfortunate incidence.
Okolo Jonathan okhavhe,
Media officer,
Akoko-Edo LGA.
