21 Killed In Attacks On Edo Farming Communities

At least 21 people were killed and several injured in attacks on seven farming communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The affected communities include Marindoti, Gbelemontin, and Dipe Community. Eyewitnesses reported that armed assailants, suspected to be Ijaw militants, attacked the communities, burning houses and shooting indiscriminately.
Community leaders appealed for military protection and accused the attackers of long-standing encroachment and extortion.
Police confirmed seven deaths and six injuries, attributing the violence to a communal clash. Residents refuted this, claiming it was an unprovoked attack by militants. Army intervention was praised, and calls were made for a permanent security presence.
National Point earlier learnt that five persons died, and four others injured in the clash between cocoa farmers and some alleged produce thieves in the agrarian community of Gbelemotin in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The clash which started on Thursday night escalated on Friday morning as those believed to be sympathetic to the victims of the Thursday night fight, mobilised and launched a counter attack on Friday morning.
“They came into our community, shooting and burning houses. They killed 15 people, and many more were injured,” said Nafisat Abdulazeez, a resident of Dipe community.
“The attackers unleashed terror by shooting indiscriminately, setting houses ablaze, and destroying property, including motorcycles and vehicles. The onslaught forced residents to flee en masse, abandoning their homes and livelihoods.”
Igbala Obazuaye, the head of Marindoti community, who sustained bullet wounds, said the assailants invaded the community around 8 am, killing seven persons in his community alone.
“It started in 1998 when some youths began encroaching on our land, stealing our crops, and kidnapping our people, notwithstanding the payment of the royalties,” he said.
CSP Moses Yamu, Public Relations Officer of the command, said operatives of the Iguobazuwa Police Division, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Vigilantes, had evacuated the casualties to the hospital where the injured were currently receiving treatment.
Joseph Otu refuted the claim that the attack was communal, saying it was an unprovoked attack by militants aiming to extort and terrorize peaceful farmers.
Usman Mukaila of Dipe community lauded the immediate deployment of men of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo, calling for the establishment of an Army beat in the area.
“That has helped to calm the situation for now. If not for him, the rest of the people would have gone. We also thank the governor,” he stressed.