Herdsmen Kill Two Farmers in Edo, Another in Critical Condition
By Simeon OSAJIE
Two farmers identified as Lucky Salami and Julius Arewa have be killed by suspected herdsmen in Eware Community in Etsako West local government area of Edo State with machetes while a third person identified as Omokhagbon Abu, also known as ‘Udugboya’, is said to be on danger list at an undisclosed hospital.
This new killing which happened yesterday, came less than three days after Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State called for beefing up of security in areas like Okpekpe in Etsako East and Ivbiaro in Owan East where suspected criminal Fulani herdsmen hacked three people to death in a similar manner.
The impeached chairman of Etsako West local government area, Marvelous Zibiri who confirmed the incident, 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 individuals but has also left other injured victims hospitalised, thereby instilling fear and unrest in the peaceful community of Eware and its environs.”
Nurudeen who described the incident as a barbaric and unacceptable act that undermined the peace and security of Etsako West Local Government Area, emphasized that 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, Zibiri called on the Edo State Government and relevant security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators of this evil act were 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. He urged 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 Coordinator of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), CP Friday Ibadin (Rtd) referred journalists to “the lead agency, the police”.
The image-maker of the Edo State Command Police, Moses Yamu said he was yet to get the details of the incident from the police in the area but would give details once the information was received.
