Edo Community Cries Out Over Alleged Bridge Destruction

Residents of Evbo-Iyamu in Uhunwonde Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and security agencies to intervene following the alleged destruction of a bridge linking their community to nearby lands.

Samson Eguagie, General Secretary of Evbo-Iyamu, made the appeal on Thursday, explaining that the bridge served as a critical daily access route connecting residents to their ancestral and farming lands.

According to Eguagie, the damage was discovered after people fetching water raised the alarm, prompting other community members to rush to the site. Residents alleged that suspected perpetrators from the neighbouring Egba community fled the scene before others arrived.

He linked the incident to a long-running land dispute between the two communities, alleging that despite a September 28, 2024 ruling by the Oba of Benin and a subsequent boundary demarcation exercise, claims over the disputed land have persisted. "We are supposed to be neighbours, but they (Egba people) see us as enemies because they said they have money," Eguagie alleged, calling on government authorities, the Benin Palace, and security agencies to step in.

Also speaking, Mr Osaigbovo Uhunamure, Dr David Iyamu, and women's leader Mrs Idiagbonmwen Obayagbona insisted that the Oken River had never served as the boundary between the two communities, contrary to claims made by the other side.

 Community leaders said they raised the alarm to ensure relevant authorities were promptly informed and could intervene before tensions escalated further, potentially threatening peaceful coexistence and stability in the area.

However, the Vice President of the Egba Development Association, Mr Julius Obaghise, denied any involvement in the alleged bridge destruction, maintaining instead that the Oken River has always served as the boundary separating both communities' territories.

 He disclosed that the Egba Divisional Police Officer, accompanied by representatives from both communities, visited the bridge site on September 6 for an on-the-spot assessment following the reports and allegations.