Ijaws Raise Alarm Over Alleged Attack at Edo High Court, Demand Probe of Otedo Youth Leaders
By Ndu Samuel
The leadership of Soron Ibe-Ijaw Kingdoms of Edo State has called on the Edo State Government and security agencies to urgently investigate and prosecute individuals it accused of attacking Ijaw indigenes and their lawyers at the premises of the Edo State High Court in Benin City on October 6, 2026.
The group made the demand during a press conference following an alleged violent incident involving Gelegelegbene indigenes who were at High Court 4 (Civil) to represent their community in a suit instituted by Ughoton Community.
According to Soron Ibe-Ijaw, the alleged attack occurred shortly after the court sitting at about 10:30 a.m., when a group of more than 50 persons, whom it identified as members of the Otedo youth group, allegedly followed the Gelegelegbene representatives and their lawyers from the courtroom to the court canteen.
The organisation alleged that the group was led by individuals it identified as Osaze Amas Edobor and Uwadiae Iyoha.
Soron Ibe-Ijaw alleged that the youths recorded videos of the litigants and their lawyers while moving around the court premises and subsequently brandished what it described as battle axes and short guns in what the group said was an attempt to intimidate and threaten those present.
The situation, according to the organisation, allegedly escalated when the group followed the litigants and their lawyers towards the exit gate of the court premises.
It alleged that some of the Gelegelegbene representatives were physically attacked and that some were forced towards waiting vehicles in circumstances the group described as an alleged attempt to abduct them.
The organisation said the intervention of security personnel attached to the High Court prevented the situation from escalating further, before the arrival of the Divisional Police Officer of Aideyan Police Division, who it said subsequently brought the situation under control.
Soron Ibe-Ijaw further alleged that several victims sustained injuries during the incident, while some had their clothes torn.
Court Security, CCTV Evidence
The group said its lawyers subsequently returned to the courtroom to report the incident, following which the presiding judge invited the Chief Security Officer of the court to confirm what had happened.
According to Soron Ibe-Ijaw, the Chief Security Officer acknowledged that the incident was captured by the court’s closed-circuit television cameras.
The organisation therefore urged the police and other relevant security agencies to obtain and examine the CCTV recordings as part of their investigation.
It said the footage could assist investigators in establishing what transpired at the court premises and identifying individuals allegedly involved in the incident.
Alleged Social Media Mobilisation
The Ijaw body also linked the alleged incident to what it described as an earlier mobilisation message circulated on social media.
According to the organisation, an individual identified as Stafford V.I.O. Iyonmahan allegedly posted a message calling on Bini youths to mobilise to the court premises on October 6.
Soron Ibe-Ijaw alleged that the mobilisation was intended to create confrontation with Ijaw indigenes from Gelegelegbene.
The organisation called for the alleged social media communication to be investigated to establish its origin, purpose and connection, if any, with the events that occurred at the court.
Previous Alleged Incident at NUJ Centre
Soron Ibe-Ijaw also cited what it described as an earlier incident involving some of its leaders at the Nigeria Union of Journalists press centre in the Government Reserved Area of Benin City.
According to the group, on September 27, 2026, some of its leaders were allegedly followed to the NUJ press centre by persons led by Iyamu Osaro, whom the organisation identified as Chairman of the Edo State Consumer Protection Committee and purported President of Aguobasimwin Movement Worldwide.
The organisation alleged that the incident occurred while its leaders were exchanging pleasantries with another Ijaw man in the presence of Ogbeide Uhunmwose and other journalists.
Soron Ibe-Ijaw described the incident as part of what it considers a worrying pattern of harassment directed at Ijaw indigenes in Edo State.
The organisation also alleged that Uwadiae Iyoha, popularly known as “Higher Man”, made a threat against Ijaw indigenes on his personal Facebook page.
It said it had evidence of the alleged social media post and would make it available to security agencies when required.
‘Court Must Remain Safe for All’
The leadership of Soron Ibe-Ijaw expressed particular concern over the alleged incident taking place within the premises of the High Court, which it described as a place where citizens should be able to seek justice without fear or intimidation.
The group said the alleged attack was particularly troubling because the individuals involved were at the court in connection with an ongoing legal dispute.
It stressed that disagreements over land, community interests, traditional matters or other disputes should be resolved through lawful judicial and traditional mechanisms rather than violence.
Soron Ibe-Ijaw said it remained committed to protecting the interests and safety of Ijaw communities in Edo State but urged its people to remain calm and allow the appropriate authorities to investigate the allegations.
Call for Investigation and Prosecution
The organisation consequently appealed to the Edo State Governor, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, the Edo State Commissioner of Police and other relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the October 6 incident.
It specifically called for the investigation of the individuals and youth leadership it accused of involvement in the alleged attack, as well as any other persons found to have participated in the incident.
The group urged the authorities to examine the court’s CCTV footage, social media posts and other available evidence that could assist the investigation.
It also called for measures to prevent a recurrence of violence and protect litigants, lawyers, court officials and members of the public attending the court.
According to the organisation, failure to address allegations of violence and threats could deepen tensions between communities and ethnic groups in the state.
It therefore urged the Edo State Government and security agencies to act promptly to prevent the situation from escalating into a wider communal confrontation.
‘We Will Defend Ourselves’
While expressing its desire for peaceful resolution, the Soron Ibe-Ijaw leadership warned that the Ijaw people would not accept what it described as continued harassment, assault and threats against its members.
The organisation said the Ijaw people had the capacity to defend themselves if attacked, but stressed that its preference was for the government and security agencies to intervene before tensions degenerated further.
It appealed to community leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders in Edo State to discourage inflammatory rhetoric and avoid actions capable of triggering ethnic confrontation.
The group maintained that the dispute involving Gelegelegbene should be allowed to proceed through the appropriate legal channels.
It said all parties should respect the rule of law and allow the courts to determine matters before them without intimidation or interference.
Soron Ibe-Ijaw concluded by urging the Edo State Government to rise to the situation, investigate the allegations and take appropriate lawful action against anyone found culpable.
The organisation said such intervention would help restore confidence in the security and judicial systems and prevent the alleged incidents from developing into a broader crisis.
Signed:
Elder Edmund Tiemo
President, Soron Ibe-Ijaw, Edo State
Chairman, Egbema Leaders of Thought
High Chief Robinson Ogunkoruwei
Vice President
Toru-Ibe Agagha, Esq.
General Secretary
Dr. Freedom Atigbi, PhD
Youth Leader
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