Suspected herdsmen on Thursday killed two farmers, identified as Lucky Salami and Julius Arewa, in Eware Village Etsako West local government area with machetes. In contrast, a third person identified as Omokhagbon Abu, popularly known as Udugboya, is said to be battling to survive in an undisclosed hospital.
This fresh killing comes less than three days after Governor Okpebholo called for beefing up 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 embattled chairman of Etsako West local government area, Hon Marvelous Zibiri, while confirming the incident, said the killings took place in Eware Village, Ward 8 Anwain and that the killers are 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.”
He described the incident as a barbaric and unacceptable act that undermined the peace and security of Etsako West Local Government Area, emphasising 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, he called on the Edo State Government and relevant security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators of this evil act are brought to justice.
He stressed the need for increased security in rural communities to prevent further occurrences of such violence and protect farmers, 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 Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), Friday Ibadin said, „call the lead agency, the police.“
The Edo State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, said he had yet to get the details of the incident from the police in the area but would give them once he did.
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