Mrs Rashida Bello, wife of the Kogi State Governor, reportedly sent men of the Nigeria’s secret Police, Department of State Security, DSS, to arrest The Ogieneni Of Uzairue Kingdom, HRH Alhaji Kadiri Imonikhe.
According to AfemaiReporters, trouble started when Alhaji Kadiri Imonikhe Omogbai 1V, the Ogieneni of Uzairue Kingdom installed a successor to the late King of Ayua Community in Etsako West local government of Edo State.
A part of the community rejected the King’s choice, particularly the Imodagbe Family.
They went ahead to create their own sign post, demarcating a portion of the community as a new community, a decision the Ogieneni was not comfortable with. He however ordered the Uzairue Vigilante Group to uproot the sign post.
Reacting, the wife of Kogi State governor Mrs Rasheedat Yahaya bello, who hails from the place, came in and started using political power and state machinery to intimidate the King.
Reports has it that she went ahead and involved the Department of State Security, DSS to clampdown on Ogieneni and Jattu sons and daughters whom she feels were connected with the kingship tussle in her community.
According to report, DSS had blocked the monarch on his way out at popular Ayua Junction and abducted him but were resisted by the youths of the community.
Also reacting, Edo State, Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu called for a total truce, calm and a ceasefire amongst conflicting communities in Uzairue kingdom.
Shaibu, during a peaceful meeting with His Royal Highness, Alhaji Kadiri Imonikhe, frowned at the unimaginable, describing it as barbaric, sacrilegious and unbecoming act against the royal father, the family and an affront on the entire Uzairue
Kingdom.
The deputy governor who hails from Uzairue assured the people that Edo State government will do everything possible to restore peace and other in the place.
In his words: “the government will leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of this unpleasant and highly condemnable act to book. We all have to continue to cooperate with the Nigerian police and other sister agencies to foster peaceful coexistence”
”Development can only take place on the mantra of peace in any society. It’s a good development that those involved are already making frantic efforts to apologize to His Highness and the entire Uzairue kingdom for the despicable act and we must give peace a chance”.
”We are already entering into another festive season where our sons and daughters will be visiting to celebrate with their families, thus peace should be our priority” Shaibu said.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Dantawaye Gajere who spoke on behalf of the Nigerian Police noted that, from the beginning of the crises, His Highness respected law and order, calmed the youth from the point of his attempted arrest by operatives from Abuja.
He also appreciated the Deputy Governor for the role he has played in ensuring that there was no breakdown of law and order within the people and communities in Uzairue kingdom.
