The Palace of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State has strongly condemned the violence that broke out after the annual Olimi Festival, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a statement released in Benin on Sunday by the palace’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emameh Gabriel, the palace disclosed that one person was killed during the unrest, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The statement said the Okuokpellagbe-in-Council, led by His Royal Highness Michael Sado, expressed deep sadness over the loss of life and extended condolences to the bereaved family. The council also wished those injured a quick recovery.
According to the palace, extensive measures had been introduced ahead of the cultural celebration to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
These included strict directives prohibiting the use of firearms, cutlasses and battle axes throughout the festival period.
Despite the precautionary measures, violence reportedly erupted shortly after the event, leading to casualties and tension within the community.
The palace called for a comprehensive investigation into the incident and urged security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.
It further appealed to residents of Okpella, especially youths and various community groups, to remain peaceful and cooperate with security operatives as investigations continue.
The statement also urged members of the public to support law enforcement authorities with useful information that could aid the arrest of the perpetrators.
“Let us work together to purge our community of violent groups, criminal activities and the sponsorship of armed thuggery,” the statement read.
The palace expressed confidence in the ability of the police and other security agencies to carry out a diligent investigation and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the full weight of the law.
