Residents Flee Edo Community Over Violent Killing Of Youth Leader

By Richard Oboh

Crisis has engulfed Egor community in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State as a result of political violence that characterized the House of Representatives election held on March 28.

The violence which started from a polling unit at the community primary school led to loss of lives including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader of the Ward, Osas Iyobosa; burning of houses; and destruction of other properties.

Several persons while attempting to flee from the troubled spot sustained varying degrees of injuries during the chaotic situation.

Trouble started at about 3:pm on the day of the election when the now deceased PDP youth leader Iyobosa stormed the voting centre with thugs and demanded to vote without being accredited.

But officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were in charge of conducting the election refused, saying that accreditation had ended and that voting started over two hours earlier.

However, the fuming youths insisted that they must have their way. They started molesting the officials of the electoral umpire, a situation that led to the intervention of youths of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

A shouting match between both parties soon snowballed into serious fight where dangerous weapons were freely used. The fight led to the death of the PDP youth leader, Iyobosa.

Although, the police were able to restore a level of normalcy, palpable anxiety still envelop the community as residents now move about with deliberate caution.

Besides, following police investigations, prominent youth leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) including Bright Ikponmwosa and Emmanuel Iwelugim have been declared wanted.

Moreover, independent investigation revealed that some PDP youths in the area have vowed to avenge the death of their leader by hacking down Ikponmwosa and Iwelugim should they be seen around the community.