The residents of the Inikorogha Community in the Ovia South West local government area have refuted claims that there is a security concern to Okomu National and the surrounding riverine settlements due to purported weaponry hoarding.
The community urged the federal government, Edo State government, and park management to ignore the accusation, claiming that some of the people who sounded the alarm were not locals and that others were still grieving over their defeat in the state’s September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
A few days ago, a group named the Concerned Sons and Daughters of the Riverine Area of Edo State urged the president of the federation to halt an alleged impending security danger to the state’s riverine towns and Okomu National Park.
The group said that some people were hoarding firearms to terrorize the Riverine villages in order to clear the way for other illegal operations, in a statement signed by Chief Sile Bekewi, its national coordinator; Hon. Ogidigba Godstime, Secretary; and Hon. Ezekiel Daniel, spokesperson.
However, a community statement signed by Bonaji Igiriwe, the chairman of the Elders Council, Hon. Timi Robert, the community chairman, and Ukulor Stanley, the youth president, urged the public and President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the governor of Edo State, His Excellency Monday Ikpebholo, the environment minister, IGP, DSS, chief of army staff, and commander of the 4th brigade, Edo State, to ignore the alarm, which they described as untrue.
Part of the statement said that “It is pertinent to state that Inikorogha community is the riverine community that is the host community to Okomu National Park.”
“It is also apposite to state that there is no security threat to Inikorogha or Okomu National Park. The park has a controller and staff living peacefully and in harmony with the communities around. They have not made any complaints.”
The statement alleged those carrying the rumour are the “erstwhile Governor of Edo State boys whose stock in trade is illegal blogging.”
“It is on record that the national park apprehended their timber lorry they brought to steal timber from Okomu National Park in 2023.”
“It is germane to state that the riverine community (Inikorogha) and Okomu National Park are peaceful without threat of any kind and are living harmoniously. Okomu National Park is a body of its own and it is allowed to operate legally on whether or not to evacuate felled logs.”
