Two people identified as Eboh Enomwa and Stephen Imaghodo who are said to be borehole drillers have been reportedly killed in Obayanto community in Ikpoba-Okah local government area while the whereabouts of the third person is unknown.
The victims were said to have gone to Uwasota in Benin City to inspect a project when they received a call to come to the community for the digging of a borehole.
But determined to fish out the killers, the Edo State government has launched an investigation into the gruesome murder.
The probe is being spearheaded by the Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers” in collaboration with security agencies and community leaders.
A statement by the chief press secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, said the operation was led by the Government House chief security officer (CSO), CSP Osaro Roberts and the principal security officer to the Governor, Okoh Saturday, who visited the community at the weekend to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the killing of Enomwa and Imaghodo.
Addressing the community during the visit, the secretary of the Special Security Squad, Barr. John Izegaebe, condemned the act of violence and reiterated the government’s resolve to stamp out cultism, kidnapping, and communal clashes in the state.
“Our findings so far point to a leadership tussle between two rival factions in Iyanomo, which degenerated into violence and ultimately claimed the lives of two men.
“This is unacceptable. The Governor has directed us to ensure that all those involved in this heinous act are identified, arrested, and prosecuted. No one is above the law,” Izegaebe said.
He added: “The government condoles with the families of the victims and assures them that justice will be served.
At the same time, we are sending a very strong message to community leaders: disputes must be resolved legally, not through violence. Governor Okpebholo has zero tolerance for crime, and anyone who foments unrest in Edo communities will face the full wrath of the law.”
The statement further assured that the investigation will be thorough, impartial, and far-reaching, with a firm commitment that the perpetrators of the killings will be brought to book, no matter how highly placed.
