Okpehbolo slams Edo attack, orders more security deployment

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, condemned the recent attacks in the state, which he said have claimed 24 lives.

The first clash, which was said to have claimed 22 lives as against the seven reported by the Edo State Police Command, was 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 started last Thursday night and escalated on Friday morning as those believed to be sympathetic to those killed in Thursday night fight mobilised and launched a counterattack on Friday morning, which led to more killings.

In the second incident, two residents of the Okpekpe community in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello, were reportedly killed on Monday by suspected herders.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua said the government of the state will not tolerate any form of violence and promised to bring perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.

Okpebholo read, “The Governor also denounced the killing of two farmers, Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello, in Okpekpe community, Etsako East Local Government Area, by suspected herdsmen on Monday.

“The devastating attack on seven farming communities in Ovia South West, which left 22 people dead, and several others injured was reportedly carried out by militants. The militants also destroyed buildings and farm produce worth millions of naira.

“We will not tolerate any form of violence or lawlessness in Edo State. We will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are brought to justice, and we will do everything in our power to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.”

Meanwhile, Okpebholo has ordered the deployment of additional security personnel to the affected areas and the provision of support to the affected communities.

He added, “We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Edo State residents. We will work closely with the security agencies, traditional leaders, and community members to achieve this goal.

“We urge everyone to remain calm and to go about their normal business. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the situation is brought under control.”