Okpella Kingship Tussle: Edo Govt Reads Riot Act On Troublemakers, Mischief
•Deployed Law Enforcement Agencies to the Okpella Community
By Isaac Olamikan
BENIN- IRKED by the activities of some trouble and mischief makers in Okpella, Estako East local government area of Edo State following the recent court ruling on the kingship stool, the state government has read the riot act to all trouble and mischief makers in Okpella community and the state as a whole.
While reading the riot act to all persons and groups of persons plotting to destabilise the peace of the Okpella community, the state government vowed to deal decisively with anyone found to have breached the peace in the Community.
The state government in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Rt. Hon. Festus Eben reads in part; “We have credible intelligence indicating that certain unscrupulous elements having already been cautioned have brazenly defied its earlier directive and are now actively scheming to unleash mayhem on the community.
“The government will not watch idly while lawless individuals and groups attempt to subvert the judicial process, undermine constituted authority, or hold an entire community hostage to their reckless ambitions.”
“No individual or faction possesses the right to self-appoint as enforcer of any court ruling while the matter remains actively subject to appeal.
“The judiciary belongs to the State, and its processes will be respected and protected accordingly.
“All relevant security agencies are hereby alerted to be on code red, while law enforcement officers deployed to monitor the situation in Okpella should be active. Any act of self-help, forceful takeover, intimidation, harassment, or disruption of the traditional institution by any person, faction, or group is illegal, absolutely intolerable, and will attract immediate and decisive government response.”
Going further, the government charged all law-abiding stakeholders, community leaders, and residents of Okpella to remain calm, exercise restraint, and allow the judicial process to run its full course.”
