Armed men suspected to be herders have allegedly unleashed mayhem in the small farming community of Ukhun community in Esan West Local Council of Edo State.
The Guardian learnt that one person was killed in the attack, while several others reportedly sustained injuries.
Witnesses said the attack came at the heels of a similar attack in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Council, which resulted in the death of two farmers.
According to them, the latest incident highlights the upsurge of crime in Edo, despite the government’s efforts at curbing the menace of killer herders and kidnappers.
A viral video on social media captured the trauma of the heart-rending weeping and wailing of the helpless locals, who passionately pleaded with the police and the state government to come to their rescue.
In the video, an unidentified narrator wailed: ”Situation report, situation report. This is Ukhun Community in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. We are under attack. Ukhun Kingdom is under attack.
“Fulani herdsmen have blocked the road. They killed Mr. Dan, an Igbira man living in Ukhun in the bush this morning, and we are still searching for others who are missing.
“We need government support, we need rescue. Please, anyone who can help, we are reporting live from Ukhun, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. This is a situation report. ”
It was gathered that the suspected killers allegedly ambushed farmers on their way to the bush, attempting to kidnap them.
However, the farmers managed to escape.
The locals lamented that such attacks and kidnappings have become alarmingly frequent in the agrarian community.
According to them, only last month, one Bello Obadan was ambushed, macheted, and kidnapped on his way to his farm.
He sustained severe cuts on his nose and other parts of his body and collapsed due to blood loss while being taken to the kidnappers’ den. Thinking he was dead, his abductors abandoned him in the pool of his own blood.
The ill-fated farmer spent three months in a hospital ward after he was rescued, incurring huge medical bills.
The traditional ruler, the Onojie of Ukhun, His Royal Highness Thomas Aboiralor Omoigiade, appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, the Director of State Security, the Edo State Security Network to intervene and safeguard the lives and property of the people.
The monarch said: “Ukhun is in dire need of government intervention and assistance to protect our people.”
Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of FECHA Project Ltd., Alex Eguakhide, has called on the state government to take decisive action, noting that Ukhun people, primarily peasant farmers, now live in fear of kidnappings and killings.
He lamented that the insecurity has made life unbearable for the agrarian community, as many residents can no longer go to their farms or provide food for their families.
“Nowhere is safe anymore for my people. Something must be done urgently to arrest the situation and bring these invaders to justice,” he lamented.
Reports indicate that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpoma, Solomon Ekeweye, led a team of police officers to assess the crime scene.
When contacted, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, said the command was yet to be briefed on the incident but promised to investigate and provide updates.
