In a story with many twists and turns that includes conspiracy, a kidnapping, and arson, there was what some witnesses have called, “a mild drama” that occurred Monday at the Delta State police headquarters, in Asaba. The Obi of Abavo community, Obi Uche Irenuma, in the Ika South local government area of Delta, was discovered slumped over and had collapsed at police headquarters.
In a story with many twists and turns that includes conspiracy, a kidnapping, and arson, there was what some witnesses have called, “a mild drama” that occurred Monday at the Delta State police headquarters, in Asaba. The Obi of Abavo community, Obi Uche Irenuma, in the Ika South local government area of Delta, was discovered slumped over and had collapsed at police headquarters.
The monarch was said to have been ‘on-the-run’ for several days following a request for questioning by police in connection with a series of events now rocking his community.
SaharaReporters learned that the monarch had reported to police headquarters, voluntarily, along with some of his chiefs, and his legal counsel, late Monday. It was there he had collapsed, suddenly, after being told that he would be placed under arrest for issuing them “false information” he allegedly gave. That questioning is in connection with a series of shocking events that include, a shooting, attacks on residents, a possible murder, or murders, the destruction of several homes by arsonists, and intimidation, in what some witnesses have called ‘a reign of terror.’
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Obi Uche Irenuma was reportedly rushed to a nearby private hospital in the state capital. He suffers from ‘hypertension’ said the counsel to the monarch, Mr. Matthew Omonade. Reacting to the incident, Omonade condemned the manner of the Delta state police command, who he said, had “treated the monarch with distain, without an atom of respect.”
Yet, there is more to the story than a man fainting out of nervousness while in the company of police. This story includes a community terrorized, the kidnapping of an infant boy, and armed thugs running amok.
Unknown to much of the outside world, the Abavo community has been engulfed in a series of events recently that some residents are calling a “bloody crisis.” This comes following a recent discovery of petroleum in their community by the Pan Ocean Oil Company. The oil discovery has changed the community in disturbing ways, so say residents and indigenes of the area.
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Some indigenes in contact with SaharaReporters have fingered the former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Martins Okonta, of allegedly throwing his weight behind the embattled monarch of the community, Uche Irenuma, that has resulted in the unleashing of terror against his people.
The Indigenes who spoke with SaharaReporters accused their king, Obi Uche Irenuma, of sending his aides and guards to kidnap little children in the community for sacrificial purposes. In one instance, said several sources, the community witnessed a man being arrested with the custody of an infant boy. The day was Tuesday, January 14, 2014. The man it was later learned, was a driver with close connections to the monarch. His name is Osakpanwan Ebose. He was arrested by police with an infant boy, whose name was given as Winners Igbinowamahia, believed to be nine months old.
In a re-telling of the incident to SaharaReporters, indigenes of the community who witnessed the incident say that, the monarch’s driver was attempting to escape in the monarch’s car. The registration number of the vehicle was listed as HRM 01 ABV. A high speed chase with Ebose and police ensued, when the car Ebose was driving was stopped, and he was arrested by the police in possession of the child.
According to one of the eyewitnesses, who spoke to SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity, there are accusations flying around that the monarch is a key figure behind the kidnapping of the little boy.
“The driver is an Edo state indigene who was caught when the baby was rescued,” said another SaharaReporters source. Once the monarch’s driver was arrested, he was brought to the Abavo police station where he confessed. Ebose, 32, had said that Obi Uche Irenuma had sent him to bring the baby boy for sacrifice. The arrest of the driver infuriated the Obi, and he questioned the audacity of the police to detain his driver.
Parading the suspect Wednesday at the state police headquarters before newsmen, the then acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Charles Muka, stated that when the mother of kidnapped little boy, Mrs. Blessing Igbinowamahia, discovered that her son was missing, she had raised an alarm which attracted an emotional community response, that led immediately to the mobilization residents and youth. That community mobilization in part led to the arrest of the suspect, the driver connected to the Obi of Abavo.
“The monarch took to the path of dishonor and violence and championed community war against the homogeneous community and raised false alarm,” said Charles Muka. Police wanted further information, and details, about the recent events in that community. Muka had said the Obi’s statements “alleging that his mother, the Queen mother, was kidnapped and killed knowing same to be fallacious,” was a stunning turn of events in this story.
In another shocking incident, another SaharaReporters source told us about a shooting incident that rocked their small community. “On January 16th, before we knew what was happening, the monarch had distributed eight automatic pump action rifles to his armed palace guardsmen. Soon afterwards, and without warning, “the eight men started shooting sporadically, (and were) assisted by two policemen guarding the monarch. Later, the Monarch had boasted that he has the full support of Hon. Martins Okonta, and nobody can do anything to him.”
The eight men in the shooting incident were identified as: Emeka Ebole Yuyu, Uche Ayo Odeh, Ike Dikenwose, Amos Ojeh, Bobo Hilary Ikechukwu, Amadi Angus, Afikpo Uche and Amaechi Soccer. All reportedly with connections to the Obi.
Another indigene who also spoke to SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity alleged that during the bloody attack, the houses of one Prince Enyali Andrew Ekhator, Mrs. Onyeisi Ekhator, Mr. Ajaja Jephefume Godwin, and Edobor Emmanuel were destroyed by the armed gang connected to the monarch.
“During the attack they completely destroyed four houses, two vehicles, killed one Mr. Okoh Ogor aka Lowisco, (and) they took over the entire Ogbe-Obi community,” our source said. In addition there were random attacks on witnesses, even passersby, she said, including, an “attack of perceived enemies, and witnesses in the case of a pending kingship legal tussle between the monarch, and Chukwuka Ekhator.
“The reign of terror continued unabated till Saturday, 18, January, 2014, when a team of six police officers from the Delta state police command arrived in Abavo to quell the attacks. Yet, to the surprise of the police, Ikechukwu Bobo Hilary, had shot at the police team and injured one Master Godwin Abraham. Abraham is currently receiving treatment for gunshot wounds at an undisclosed hospital.” Residents and indigene had called on the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the Inspector General of Police to intervene, and bring to book all the culprits, including the monarch.
It is unclear as to how the violence began, and later escalated, and how the series of events unfolded. What is clear, violence in the Abavo community has reached a fever pitch there in recent weeks. Yet, the finger pointing continues from both sides, with counter statements coming from the monarchs legal counsel.
“The monarch’s mother’s house was invaded by some persons in the community, and he called the police and he was invited to the police command,” said the counsel to the monarch, Mr. Matthew Omonade. “He has been in the hospital since, and he decided to honor the police invitation, and on our arrival to the headquarters, he was told he gave false information to the police, therefore, he is under arrest, and immediately his Blood Pressure rose, and he collapsed. This is a traditional ruler with a recognized staff of office (who has) been treated as if he was an armed robber. As I talk to you now, the police are on the trail of the traditional ruler like an armed robber.”
“We are solicitors to the monarch,” Omonade pleaded. “His father was on the throne for over nine years before he was enthroned 16 years ago, and he has been living peaceful (all during that time.) But immediately, when oil was discovered in the community, some hoodlums who are interested in the oil, instigated a crisis. Some of the hoodlums were declared wanted by the police but to date, nothing has been done to them, rather, the police decided to turn against the monarch.
“We condemn, in its entirety, the barbaric action of the police against the monarch. The Delta state police command is seriously compromised, and we don’t have faith in them any longer, and we are calling on the Inspector General of Police to, as a matter of importance, intervene in the matter,” Omonade said.
According to Muka, the monarch had been asked several times by police to appear before them, and further answer their questions over recent events in his community. He had been missing for nearly a week, and was still on the run, and refusing to obey the police invitation to him to come forward, and clarify some issues as it regards the crisis.
Contacted, the former speaker, Mr. Martins Okonta, debunked the allegations and wondered while his name should be dragged into what he described as “a lingering crisis in the kingdom over oil money,” warning that his name should not be dragged into what is happening in the community.
“The name of Okonta is not associated with terror, the monarch and the youths have their grievances. He has always used the youths to collect some claims from an oil company called Pan Ocean, and after the collection, the monarch never deemed it fit to give the youths (anything) who have supported him. This has resulted in a serious battle in the community leading to the dethronement of the monarch.” Okonta stated. As at the time of this report, calls and text messages sent to the monarch were not answered.
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