Lingering Tensions Between Adoloseimo II Community and Abere-Egelu Family in Kokotoru: A Call for Urgent Intervention

In the early hours of Sunday, August 25, 2024, the Adoloseimo II community in Arogbo Kingdom, Ondo State, was thrown into confusion after discovering fetish (juju) substances in their forest. The objects, reportedly placed by the Abere-Egelu family from Kokotoru, Egbema Kingdom, Edo State, were uncovered by locals on their way to work. This development has deepened the already strained relations between the two communities over a disputed land.

Mr. Dubamo Ogele, a resident of Adoloseimo II, was among the first to stumble upon the items. He described finding a butchered fowl, white cloth, and other mysterious substances beside a bush path. The discovery has sparked fear and condemnation within the community.

Mr. Digha Akins, Chairman of the Adoloseimo II Community, expressed his frustration and concern over the matter. His comment read in part, “What the Abere-Egelu family is doing is uncalled for… This issue is in court, so why are they placing these fetish objects all over the bush? Do they think they can kill us and take our land? Are they threatening us?”

The youth of Adoloseimo II, led by Comr. Okiriji Hope, also condemned the act, viewing it as a backward and uncivilized approach to resolving disputes. Hope emphasized that the community has always been committed to education and development, unlike the Abere-Egelu family, who seem to be resorting to fetish practices and violence.

This incident is not isolated. Just three weeks earlier, armed men from the Abere-Egelu family attacked the Adoloseimo II community, injuring several individuals and abducting three, though two narrowly escaped. One of the attackers was eventually arrested, but tensions between the two communities have only continued to escalate.

In the wake of this unrest, another attack occurred on August 5, 2024, when the Abere-Egelu family in Kokotoru community in Edo State launched an unprovoked assault on Adoloseimo II. The attackers, armed with guns, axes, and spears, left several people injured, including Stanley, who is still receiving medical treatment.

The people of Adoloseimo II have repeatedly called on security agencies to intervene, but their pleas have largely gone unanswered. The community’s patience is wearing thin, with leaders warning that if the situation continues unchecked, they may be forced to retaliate.

As tensions escalate, the people of Adoloseimo II are calling for urgent action from the relevant authorities to prevent further bloodshed. The community has always sought peaceful and legal means to resolve disputes, but they are now at a tipping point. If their calls for justice continue to be ignored, they will have no choice but to defend their territorial integrity.

The situation in Adoloseimo II is a stark reminder of the need for swift and decisive action to maintain peace and security. The community’s demands for justice are both urgent and justified, and it is time for the authorities to act before the situation spirals further out of control.