The African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Edo South, Hon. Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen, has accused former Amagba community chairman, Mr Peter Erinmwinose, of leading an alleged invasion of the community with the backing of personnel of the Edo State Security Network.
Iduoriyekemwen raised the alarm on Friday, November 13, 2026, saying he received distress calls from his cousins and other relatives in Amagba Village early in the morning, informing him that armed men had entered the community and were firing gunshots.
In a statement, the ADC candidate alleged that Erinmwinose, who he claimed previously served as chairman of the community for 18 years, arrived with members of the Edo State Security Network in what he described as an attempt to take control of the village.
He said the reported operation created panic among residents, alleging that the armed men fired guns repeatedly, with the sound of gunshots causing fear across the community.
Iduoriyekemwen specifically accused Erinmwinose of acting with the support of the state security outfit and alleged that the Edo State Government was backing efforts to take over the leadership of Amagba.
The ADC candidate further claimed that the latest incident was part of a series of actions directed at him and members of his family since his emergence as the party’s senatorial candidate for Edo South ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He recalled the earlier incident involving his 90-year-old father, Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, who was taken from his residence in Amagba by armed security operatives in the early hours of October 6, 2026.
The incident initially generated fears that the elderly man had been abducted. However, the Edo State Police Command later clarified that he had been arrested in connection with a petition alleging conspiracy, forcible entry, gun-running, cultism and activities capable of promoting communal crises. He was subsequently released after interrogation, while investigations continued.
The 90-year-old was later arraigned alongside three other defendants before the Edo State Special Criminal Court over allegations including cultism, conspiracy and attempted murder. The defendants were reportedly granted bail as the case proceeded.
Iduoriyekemwen described the development involving his father as part of what he considers a sustained campaign against his family, alleging that the latest operation in Amagba was another attempt to intimidate him politically.
He also accused the state government of interfering in the traditional leadership structure of the community, claiming that the traditional institution had been used to suspend his father from his position as Odionwere of Amagba.
The ADC candidate said he considered the reported invasion particularly troubling because, in his view, the government’s responsibility should be to protect the lives and property of residents rather than become involved in disputes over community leadership.
He challenged the Edo State Government to demonstrate the same level of security intervention in other villages across the state, questioning why such force was allegedly deployed in Amagba.
In his words, “The efforts the Edo State Government has put into taking over my village ever since my emergence as the Senatorial Candidate of the ADC to represent Edo South is worthy of note.”
He further declared: “There is nothing left, including using the traditional institution to suspend my father as the Odionwere.”
Iduoriyekemwen called on the government to address leadership disputes across communities through lawful and peaceful processes, rather than allowing security operations to deepen tensions.
He concluded his statement with a declaration that the people of Edo South would not remain intimidated, insisting that the community would eventually overcome what he described as oppression.
“Edo South will be liberated some day. Nobody can keep us enslaved forever,” he said.
The allegations have reopened public attention to the lingering leadership and communal disagreements surrounding Amagba, particularly the controversy involving Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen and the circumstances of his October arrest.
However, the latest claims against Peter Erinmwinose, the Edo State Security Network and the Edo State Government have not been independently verified. No official confirmation was available at the time of filing this report that the security outfit conducted an operation in Amagba on Friday, that gunshots were fired or that the former community chairman led the alleged operation.
There was also no immediate response from Erinmwinose or the Edo State Government to the allegations. The police and the Edo State Security Network had not publicly confirmed the reported incident or clarified whether any personnel were deployed to the community.
IBN News could not independently establish whether anyone was injured, arrested or displaced during the alleged operation, or whether any attempt was made to change the existing traditional or administrative leadership of Amagba.
The relevant authorities are expected to investigate the claims, establish what transpired and clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported security operation.
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