There is pandemonium in the agrarian Community of Okpekpe, Community Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, as suspected Herdsmen attacked and killed two residents of the community, causing tension in the locality.
The deceased, identified as Philip Batemue (aka Ebo), and another, Mr Christopher Bello, were killed Monday morning by suspected Fulani herders on their way to their farms.
The corpses of the victims were recovered by local vigilantes and deposited at a morgue just as the incident sparked tension.
The death of the two farmers was confirmed by the community’s Royal father, Onwuweko of Okpekpe, HRH Peter Osigbemeh, and the embattled chairman of the local government, Hon Benedicta Atoh.
Attoh, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ben Atu, expressed concern about the ongoing killing in the Okpekpe community of North Ibie Zone, saying if the State Government does not take immediate action to stop the killing, the community as a whole will be wiped out describing the killing as black Monday.
Meanwhile, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the attack on the people of Okpekpe Community and expressed disappointment over Senator Monday Okpebholo’s failure to live up to his primary responsibility as the state’s Chief Security Officer.
In a statement by PDP Publicity Secretariat, Chris Nehikhare, the partyaccused the governor of abandoning governance for needless jamborees to mark his 100 days in office without significant achievements.
At the same time, innocent Edo citizens are being slaughtered.
The statement reads: “We are deeply saddened by the heinous attack on the people of Okpekpe Community in Etsako East Local Government Area by suspected herdsmen, which led to the gruesome murder of two innocent citizens, Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello.
“We condemn this dastardly act in the strongest terms and send our heartfelt condolences to their families, loved ones, and the entire community during this difficult time.
When contacted, the Edo State Police Command Spokesperson, Moses Yamu, said that he would get back to journalists, but he had yet to do so as of the time of filing the report.
