Thousands of the ever resolute and determined youths of Iviukwe community, Etsako East Local Government Area, on Sunday 23rd Jan, 2022, took to the street to protest against the obvious intimidation, oppression and infringement on her fundamental human rights to freedom of association as enshrined in the 1999 constitution, which according to them are some of the characteristics of the oppressive and tyrannical rule of HRH, Dr. George Oshapi Egabor, the Okumagbe of the defunct Weppa Wanno clan.
Lamenting, the indigenes who trooped to the major streets of Agenebode in their thousands to express their frustration and disagreement with the oppressive rule/reign of the self-styled Royal Majesty, for sending thugs to unleash mayhem on the youths and women of the community who had gone to the market to perform the aged-long cultural age group outing at Akioli market, the Okumagbe used his notorious thugs, led by John Onyenye, the Chairman motorcycle riders, Agenebode Branch and in the the process left many people, including women badly injured which immediately led to the hospitalization of several Iviukwe Indigenes.
Properties, including several motorcycles running into million were either destroyed or stolen and are still in their possession till date. This vicious and cruel act is similar to the crackdown on Weppa women about five years ago that led to the secession and the agitation for a separate clan which eventually birthed the ” Weppa Clan”
Expressing their unhappiness with the ever dictatorial approach to leadership of the now Okumagbe of Uwanno clan, Oshiapi Eghabor, the youths Chairman of Iviukwe Community, Mr Jerome Adams condemned the barbaric act & said nobody has monopoly of violence but however called on the the government at all levels to intervene, saying that the community youths wouldn’t resort to self-defense but urged that his excesses similar to the era of biblical Nebuchadnezzar must be checked to avoid further breakdown of laws and orders.
Iviukwe is an autonomous Community, the political headquarters of Ward 3, Etsako East, with a population well above 200,000 people.
Nigeria despite her multilingual and cultural diversity operates a constitutional democracy where the fundamental human rights to freedom of association of her citizenry are protected and guaranteed. The community through its General Chairman, Chief Adolphus Osimi warned that, any further attempt at intimidating the indigenes of Iviukwe Community would subsequently be met with proportional resistance no matter how highly placed the individual sponsoring the violence is. But however admonished the youths to toll the path of peace no matter the provocation.
In a joint statement, the Community urged the Nigeria police and other antigraft agencies to quickly swing into action to investigate the allegations of fraudulent and illegal diversion of some funds up to the tune of 130million supposedly meant for the compensation of the local farmers for the economic trees destroyed by the failed Dangote fertilizer company.
Recall that of the 130million paid as compensation for the economic trees destroyed, only 63million was remitted to the farmers. Despite the huge anomaly, the community went to court for a redresss without recourse to self help
“Let it be put on record that we are law abiding and peaceful people who believe in due process, hence, no amount of intimidation from Ukumagbe of Uwanno clan, HRH Eghabor Oshiapi can make us abandon our cases in the court against him.
The Community however warned that, her ancestral land of inheritance is not for sale