Ayen community in Uhumwode Local Government Areas of Edo state has called on the Edo State government to quench the fire of insecurity in their community.

??They also begged the Edo commissioner for Police to curb the unlawful arrest of their community leaders and members, saying such development is capable of sabotaging the efforts of Governor Monday Okpebholo in restoring security in the state.

??Spokesperson of the community, Comrade Segun Babs in a statement issued and made available to newsmen on Thursday, noted that Ayen community has been threatened by incessant insecurity over the past 8 years which has resulted in the murdering and kidnapping of some courageous indigenous Ayen community activists.

??The statement reads in part, “Ayen community people, have being audible on the matter from the outset before embryo of insecurity hatched into maturity. But their cries and pleas were never accorded official attention by then Edo State government, during former Godwin Obaseki administration’s while the chief inflictor of the security threats seized this vulnerability lacuna to shower rains of sporadic gun shootings and conducted baptism of terror on Ayen community, in an attempt to fiercely grab our lands.

“However with the enthronement of Governor Monday Okpebholo, insecurity rates in Edo State has reduced significantly. His non tolerance and unflinching dedication to sanitize Edo State, has attracted commendable results, and migration to exile by the perpetrators of insecurity in the state.

“But of recent the culprits unleashed agents of assassinations on Ayen community. Nevertheless, swift intervention of Edo State government resulted in the arrest of five major arrowheads, out of which, three were released and others to be prosecuted in the law court. “Sadly, one of the culprits lied of having serious illness all in a bid not to be paraded in the court on October 15 over the broad daylight murder of Elvis Ikponayusi, one of the Ayen community youth leader.

“And to our surprise, the three suspects that were released in questionable circumstances relaunched another coordinated attack on our community few days later but were swiftly chased away by the Nigeria Army ‘Operation Rescue’.

“Notwithstanding, the trio swung into reinforcement along with some suspected personnel of the Nigeria Police from the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, to raid Ayen community and arrested both the community Chairman Kelvin Enaruna Oriakhi and his Vice Chairman both of whom are repatriated to SWAT office in Abuja without prior notification and authorization of the Commissioner of Police Edo State, and they are there now for about five weeks running.

“The Ayen community observed that both the accused trio and the Homicide department of the CID again invaded Ayen community on September 2nd and arrested two persons. Till this time, just one of them has being released while the former Chairman of Ayen community, is still in their custody.

“Notwithstanding, information reaching the community indicate that certain individuals wanted to continuing inflicting restlessness on the Ayen Community and initiating mass arrest of its indigenes.

“Pursuant the Ayen community indigenous people, are calling for a total stop to unlawful arrest and repatriation of our people to Abuja, and also, killing of their people. Since the matter has been under jurisdictional leadership of the Commissioner of Police Edo State, Mr. Agbonika, there should be no intimidation of the community using Abuja influence. The matter is happening in Edo State and should be returned there, for lasting peaceful restoration of peace.

“On this note, Ayen community is therefore calling on the Edo State government, to quench the fire of insecurity and unlawful arrest of its members, capable of sabotaging unprecedented efforts of Governor Okpebholo, in restoring sophisticated security in Edo State.”

?the statement added. (Daily Sun)

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