By Mike ALADENIKA
Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) Worldwide has warned Ijaw settlers in Iko Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State to stop their false claim of ownership of the Community.
This was contained in a press briefing addressed by Henry Igbinosun, Executive member, Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) Worldwide, and son of the late Edionwere, IKO Community in Benin City.
He said, "BSM address with disdain the television broadcast of ITV News on the 21st July, 2021 by a self acclaimed Ijaw Group, IYC Chairman, Comrade Sam Ebiwana of the blackmail and character assassination of some elements in Iko which has been corrupted in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
"These elements, majorly settlers with some betraying Benins has resorted to accusing the people of Obazuwa Community who are aborigines as trouble making people; this is a claim that is far from the truth because Iko Community is controlled by the Enogie of Obazuwa in Ovia North-East Local Government Area who is the representative of the Oba of Benin as the Traditional Chief of the locality.
"From history, the Ijaws benefited from the large heart of the Oba of Benin who gave them a settlement in their fishing business, but they have now become major land rivals, which they have termed to be their ancestral land. The questions that these groups of people should be asked is where the Ijaws who are noted around the world as fishermen did became farmers who now own large expanse of land criminally acquired all in the guise of using the lands for farming.
"These rabble rousers should be told in simple language that their adoption of false information, blackmail and character assassination cannot wipe away history no matter how hard they try."
Henry Igbinosun added, "Let us sound it very loud and clear to the ijaw settlers who are naturally customary tenants to the Oba of Benin KINGDOM that there is no town or community in Benin Kingdom called Ikoro in Ovia North-East Loca Government Area of Edo State.
"And they should also know that they are Not the only tribe that have settled in that locality and for all we care the irritant IYC may be talking of a community that is situated in Bayelsa State acclaimed as homogenous Ijaw State.
"The brains behind the pseudo IYC are obviously criminal land grabbers and should be called to order immediately before they foolishly drag their kinsmen into a dragnet of no return as far as the Iko Community issue is concerned
"Let it be known to the Ijaws that they are settlers in Benin Kingdom and our Great Oba of Benin KINGDOM is the Overlord of all the Lands in the Kingdom.
"The fact that the Benins are accommodating should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness by these miscreants who hide under different aliases and groups to trigger crisis which will end up consuming them.
"We are been stretched to the limit and it will be a matter of good judgment if they call themselves to order now before it is too late.
"They should also be informed that we are not contesting anything with them as regards their Ikoro. Our area of interest lies within our territory, Iko Community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State where we have over the years accommodated them and other tribes as it is our nature to be good host
"The so-called IYC should be reasonable enough now to change their steps in this macabre dance that they have inadvertently forced themselves into; for nobody has the monopoly of violence.
"For the strides of a gentle leopard should not be taken for granted. Obazuwa Community has been in existence before the reign of Oba Ewuare I in 1440 and it is embarrassing for strangers cum criminal land grabbers to say otherwise," the statement said.
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