Exit Of Benin King: Non Indigenes Have Nothing to Fear, No Curfews Imposed – Erhabor

Report, by Osaru Okuns & Nume Eseimuede

The Secretary to Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Mr. Frank Erhabor has allayed the fears of non-indigenes of Benin Kingdom, following the announcement on Friday, of the passing of the Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa.

The Secretary in an exclusive interview with Alltimepost.com over the phone on Saturday dispelled the rumor that there was a curfew imposed on non-indigenes of the Kingdom.

Alltimepost.com had called him from the United States, based on rumor making the rounds that non-Bini indigenes have been advised to remain indoors from 7: pm until the coronation is over.

“Non-indigenes of Benin Kingdom have nothing to fear,” he assured. “There are no curfews; as far as we are concerned there is peace and Benin is calm, there is no migration of people.”

He advised all the people to go about their normal activities, be law-abiding and respect the customs and traditions of Benin Kingdom.

Mr. Erhabor said members of the public should only follow directives issued by the palace from time to time and not subject themselves to the activities of false rumor peddlers with mischievous intentions.

He said that whatever rumor making the round about safety and security of non-indigenes was the handiwork of mischief makers and should be ignored.

“One thing is very clear, the Palace will not ask non-Binis to move out,” he said.

Meanwhile, the mood in Benin City remains somber, as the people mourn their highly revered King who left an indelible mark in the history of the Kingdom, known all over the world for its greatness.

The announcement of Oba Erediauwa’s passing sent shock waves throughout the Kingdom, grinding activities to a halt.

All markets were closed in Benin City as ordered in honor of the departed King. The closure of all markets is indefinite.

Our correspondents who went to town reported apprehensions among several non-indigenes of the Kingdom.

A commercial vehicle driver who pleaded for anonymity told our correspondents that there was chaos as soon as the news went out around the ring road (King’s Square) area, home of the Oba’s Palace.

The driver, a non-Bini indigene said people were afraid that something would happen to them.

Traders at the various markets started packing their wares, heading home. People were seen in groups discussing and heading in their respective direction.

At the Ring Road, not only were the Oba market and Yanga markets closed, but all the shops around the area were shut down.

Alltimepost.com further found out that some touts around Ring road took advantage of the sad situation to harass traders.

Alltimepost.com also observed that some traders, due to the closure of the main markets have now got themselves together to create makeshift markets where they now attend to customers on some side streets.

At the Government Reservation Area (GRA) some non-Bini parents wanted their children to go home on time because they were afraid that the burial will “need heads of non-Binis.”

Inside the bus, some passengers, especially non-Binis expressed fears for their lives.

Meanwhile at the Oba’s Palace on Saturday, our correspondent reported that construction and renovation were ongoing preparatory to the funeral rites of the late Oba and coronation of a new King, the Heir apparent to the Great Benin Throne, Edaiken of Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa.

Authoritative sources close to the Palace told Alltimepost.com that announcement would soon be made on when the burial of the late King and the crowning of his successor would take place.