The Elders Council in Inikorogha community, Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State have raised the alarm over what it described as threat to the community and one of the community leader, Robert Okubo.
In a statement signed by chairman of the Elders Council, Robert Ogidigba and its Secretary, Christopher Imafidon lamented the harassment, indiscriminate arrests, and unlawful invasion of the inhabitants and territory of Inikorogha community by various security agencies.
The Elders said some sons of the community have been arrested on several occasions based what they described as as false and mischievous security reports by one Daniel Ezekiel Pere, Peres Ejune, Godstime Ogidigba, their Sponsors and supporters.
The statement reads in part, “For the records, it is pertinent to categorically state that Robert Okubo is a repentant militant who has sincerely embraced the federal government amnesty and has over the years remained a law-abiding resourceful indigene of Inikorogha community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
“Robert Okubo has proven beyond all shades of doubt through his words and actions that he embraced the federal government amnesty wholeheartedly and with all sincerity of purpose. It is a verifiable fact that Robert Okubo after embracing amnesty has been instrumental in maintaining law and order through diligent and honest collaborations with the security agencies, community leaders, and the government of Edo State during his time as SSA to the Governor of Edo State which brought about his elevation to Executive Director in Security and Marine Surveillance.”
The Elders said security agencies have been manipulated by Peres Ejune, Godstime Ogidigba, and Daniel Ezekiel Pere.
They insisted that Robert Okubo has no militant group or camp anywhere within or outside Edo State, adding that he keeps no group of militants and does not use his home or hotel for any militant or illegal activities.
The statement added that, “His continued persecution and harassment by security agencies is simply a desperate effort to give him a bad name and put him to the gallows, just as the saying that if you want to kill a dog, give the dog a bad name.
“It is expedient to bring to the knowledge of all security agencies in Edo State and the Niger Delta region the fact that Robert Okubo has absolutely no hands in the fight between Obazuwa and Ikoro communities in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Whatever he has been accused of in respect to the land dispute between the aforementioned communities only exists in the deluded and insane minds of Daniel Ezekiel Pere, Godstime Ogidigba, Peres Ejune, their sponsors, supporters, and collaborators. We wish to make known the truth that our illustrious son Robert Okubo has no hands whatever in any community clash anywhere in Edo State or other places of the Niger Delta region. If he is guilty of anything, he is guilty of doing good by helping the poor and elderly, creating Jobs for youths, and contributing through other significant ways to the peace and progress of Inikorogha community.
“Inikorogha community has been subjected to several military raids and drone surveillance, all in futile efforts to find any evidence to pin down Robert Okubo and substantiate the lies of Daniel Ezekiel Pere. The continued inability of the military or any other security agency to find anything that criminalizes Robert Okubo after countless raids in his community and personal properties should have served as enough evidence to vindicate him from the malicious accusations of his detractors.”
They urged the presidency and security chiefs through their representatives in Edo State to use their good offices and put to an end the continued harassment of Robert Okubo
