- A violent attack was carried out on December 23, 2025, at the residence of the new Oliola of Uzamu, Momodu Osiregbhemhe Adamu in Uneme-Uzanu community, Etsako East Local GovernmentArea of Edo State.
- The attack, allegedly orchestrated by Mr. Benjamin Ikani and his hired thugs, left several people injured and valuable properties destroyed.
- According to witnesses, the attackers, armed and masked, invaded the residence, vandalised properties, and inflicted severe injuries on innocent persons.
- The attack was described as unprovoked, well-coordinated, and intended to instil fear and chaos within the community.
- The victims of the attack have already sent a petition to the Commissionr of Police in Benin City through their counsel, Barrister Ikponmwosa Agbontaen, Principal Partner of Agbontaen Legal Consult.
- The Divisional Police Headquarters in Agenebode, the DPO in Uzanu, State Director of the Department of State Services and DSS office in Agenebode were copied with the petition.
- The three-page petition, filed by the law-abiding members of the Uneme-Uzanu community, alleged that Benjamin Ikani hired thugs to carry out the attack.
- Some of the suspects said to have been involved in the attack were listed to include:
- 1. Sanni Ikanni
- 2. Igenegnai Ademu
- 3. Ikpemi Okojie
- 4. Clifford Aliu
- 5. James Akuda
- 6. Iluma (from Ukpeko
- 7. Augustin Tomo
- 8. Tomo Momoh
- 9. Imonikien Jimoh
- 10. Tijani Bajah
- 11. Alhasan (From Ukpeko)
- 12. Clifford Aliu
- 13. Ogie Akuda
- 14. Buhari Bria Izanobor
- 15. Anagbor Danjuma
- 16. Solomon Okogie
- 17 OdionEshemogie
- 18. Imoesi Brai Okoetu
- 19. Others yet to be identified
- The petitioners urged the Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Benin City, to immediately investigate the violent attack and alleged arson plans.
- They also called for the arrest and prosecution of all persons involved.
- In addition, they urged the police to deploy adequate security presence in the community to forestall further violence or reprisals.
- They further appealed to the Police authorities to summon and restrain Benjamin Ikani from further acts capable of breaching peace and security.
- The community demanded justice and protection from further attacks.
- The petitioners said they were willing to cooperate fully with the authorities, providing witnesses, medical reports, photographs, and other relevant evidence to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
- They requested extension of police invitation to the second week of January after the festive period.
- The text of the petition is reproduced in extenso here under:
- 23rd December 2025
The Commissioner of Police
Edo State Police Command
Benin City
Edo StateATTENTION: The Deputy Commissioner Of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department
Dear Sir,
PETITION AGAINST MR. BENJAMIN IKANI ,SEIDU ANIEMEH ,DAVID ITOYA (ASP) AND HIS HIRED THUGS FOR VIOLENT ATTACK, DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, ASSAULT, AND THREAT OF ARSON
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We continue to act for the newly installed Oliola of Uzanu, Chief Momodu Osiregbhemhe Adamu and on whose behalf respectfully write react to the police invitation extended to our Client and other community King Makers and leaders as well as to notify you that the supposed complainant Benjamin Ikani along with Seidu Aniemeh and a serving Police Officer have masterminded and executed violent and coordinated attack carried out today, 23rd December 2025, on a peaceful gathering held at the residence of our Client Chief Momodu Osiregbhemhe Adamu.
On the said date, Mr. Benjamin Ikani, acting through hired thugs, deliberately sent armed miscreants to disrupt the peaceful gathering. The attackers unleashed violence on innocent persons, forcefully invaded and vandalized the house of Chief Momodu Osiregbhemhe Adamu, destroyed valuable properties, and inflicted severe injuries on several people, some of whom are currently receiving medical attention. One of the victims Mrs Angela Abu is still seriously unconscious and bedridden in the hospital where she is currently batlling for her life.
As a matter of fact, this attack was unprovoked, well-coordinated, and clearly intended to instil fear, cause chaos, and undermine law and order within the community. while at the same time filing a petition to cover up their aggression against our Client and the community elders.
Furthermore, our Client has been reliably informed of Mr. Benjamin Ikani’s plans along with his supporters to escalate the violence by committing acts of arson on selected houses belonging to members of the other faction within the community. This intelligence suggests an imminent threat to lives and property if urgent preventive measures are not taken.
You may recall that by our letter to you dated 20th December 2025, we did inform of the installation of our Client as the Oliola of Uzanu following the dethronement of Benjamin Ikani and our Client had also earlier notified the DSS in a letter dated 16th December 2025 of the plans of the said Benjamin Ikani to cause violence in Uzanu .The said letters are hereby attached and marked annextures A and B respectively.
Some of the identified thugs involved in this criminal act include:
1. Sanni Ikanni 11. Tomo Momoh
2. Clifford Aliu 12. Imonikien Jimoh
3. Igenegbai Ademu 13. Tijani Bajah
4. Ogie Akuda 14. Alhasan Amodu
5. Iluma Nicholas 15. Imoesi Brai Okoetu
6. Augustin Tomo 16. Omoh Eshemogie
7. Ikpemi Okogie 17.Odioh Eshemogie
8. Buhari Bria Izanobor 18. James Akuda
9. Anagbor Danjuma 19.Others still at large
10. Solomon OkogieOur Client has reliable information that this act of damages and destruction were hatched and executed in the residence of Seidu Aniemeh in the presence of the said Benjamin Ikani and ASP David Itoya and sponsored these individuals to engage in the dastardly act and to engage in acts capable of breaching public peace and endangering lives.
In view of the foregoing, we respectfully request your office to Immediately Summon Benjamin Ikani and his team, investigate the violent attack and the alleged arson plans, arrest and prosecute all persons involved in accordance with the law, deploy adequate security presence to forestall further violence, arson, or reprisals from further acts capable of breaching peace and security.
Meanwhile, our Client humbly request for the extension of the Police Invitation to the 2nd week of January after the festive period.
We trust in your commitment to justice, peace, and the protection of lives and property. We are ready to cooperate fully by providing witnesses, medical reports, photographs, and other relevant evidence.
Thank you for your prompt and decisive intervention.
Yours Faithfully
- Ikponmwosa Agbontaen
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