Residents of Evbo-Iyamu in Uhunwonde council area of Edo have appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Oba Ewuare II and security agencies to intervene over the alleged destruction of a bridge.

Samson Eguagie, general secretary of Evbo-Iyamu, made the appeal on Thursday in the community, saying the bridge linked residents to ancestral lands and farmlands and served as a vital daily access route.

Residents allegedly discovered the damage after people fetching water raised an alarm, prompting community members to visit the site. They claimed suspected perpetrators from Egba fled before other residents arrived there.

He linked the incident to a lingering land dispute, alleging that despite a September 28, 2024, ruling by the Oba of Benin and subsequent boundary demarcation, claims over the land persisted.

“We are supposed to be neighbours, but they (Egba people) see us as enemies because they said they have money,” he alleged, urging government authorities, the Benin Palace and security agencies.

Also speaking, Osaigbovo Uhunamure, David Iyamu and women leader Idiagbonmwen Obayagbona said the Oken River had never served as the boundary between both communities, contrary to claims made.

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

However, the Egba Development Association vice-president, Julius Obaghise, denied involvement in the alleged bridge destruction, saying the Oken River served as the boundary between the two communities and territories.

He said the Egba divisional police officer, accompanied by representatives of both communities, visited the bridge site on September 6 for an on-the-spot assessment, following reports of the incident and allegations.

(NAN)