By Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN- Communal clash is brewing between the Bini and Ijaw in Edo State following claims by the Bini that the Ijaw were claiming ownership of the land the Binis gave them as migrant fishermen.

In a petition to the state government, the Enogie of Obazuwa, and brother to the Oba of Benin, who is in charge of most of the territories being annexed and 80 others, said their subjects had been attacked unprovoked by the “settlers.” They added that they had maintained calm because there are court decisions that went as far as the Supreme Court which confirmed that the Binis were the original inhabitants and owners of the land.

According to Akenzua, on June 3, 2011, while the Binis in the area were measuring a land donated to the state government to build a school, “Ijaw militants from Iko” attacked them with machetes, abducted three of his subjects and vandalised property and vehicles in the area.

“The question of who owns Gelegele had gone through litigation and had long been settled. For 50 years, these Ijaw settlers have provoked the Bini. We are finding it increasingly difficult to restrain ourselves from retaliating against these unwarranted attacks by the Ijaw.

“If they refuse to co-exist in harmony with us, they are at liberty to join their kiths and kins in Bayelsa or Rivers states. They must respect the bond of love that binds host and guests.”