Suspected herders kill two farmers in Edo
Suspected herdsmen on Thursday killed two farmers identified as Lucky Salami and Julius Arewa in Eware Village, Etsako West Local Government Area with machetes.
A third person identified as Omokhagbon Abu popularly known as Udugboya is said to be battling for his life at an undisclosed hospital.
This fresh killing is coming less than three days after Governor Monday Okpebholo called for the enhancement of security due to killings in Okpekpe in Etsako East and Ivbiaro in Owan East where suspected Fulani herdsmen hacked three people to death in a similar manner.
The embattled chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area, Marvelous Zibiri, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Thursday, said the killings took place in Eware Village, Ward 8 Anwain and that the killers were suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
A statement by his Press Secretary, Iyamah Nurudeen, quoted Zibiri as saying, “This dastardly and heinous act has not only claimed the innocent lives of two persons but has also left another injured victim hospitalised, thereby instilling fear and unrest in the peaceful community of Eware and its environs.”
“The incident is a barbaric and unacceptable act that has undermined the peace and security of Etsako West Local Government Area. The local government will not tolerate any form of violence or lawlessness that threatens the lives and livelihoods of its people.”
While commiserating with the families of the deceased, he called on the Edo State Government and relevant security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators of this evil act are brought to justice.
He stressed the need for increased security presence in rural communities to prevent further occurrences of such violence and to protect farmers who are the backbone of the local economy.
Zibiri appealed to the people to remain calm and law-abiding and urged the community leaders and stakeholders to collaborate with security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits.
When contacted, the head of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin, said, “Call the lead agency, the police.”
The Edo State Command Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, when contacted by PUNCH Metro, said he had yet to get the details of the incident from the divisional police in the area but promised to give details once the information was received. He was not able to do this as of the time of filing this report.
