Militant Group Kills 1, Razes Houses In Edo Community

A group of armed men that identified themselves as “Ijaw Freedom Fighters” have stormed the sleepy Imariogha community in Ovia South West local government area of Edo State where they shot one person dead before setting eight vehicles and houses ablaze.

Fearing for their lives, some residents have taken refuge in Ovia Forest to escape the furious armed attackers.

The invaders had stormed the community Sunday night through the riverside as they shot their way into the area.

A resident of the community, Chief Rex Akpokiniovo said one person was shot dead while one Pa Gabriel Okorugbe is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital after sustaining bullet wounds.

According to Akpokiniovo, “The corpse of the dead person has been taken away by the police. My house was attacked and my car burnt down by the gunmen who came into the community at midnight and started shooting sporadically into the air.

“One of the Okomu (Oil Palm) workers, who resides in the community was killed while the invaders left a warning note on his chest,” he said.

The note which was addressed to Governor Godwin Obaseki by the attackers also made several demands from the management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc.

Some of the demands included a position of director in the company and 25 per cent of the company’s shares while declaring that, “We are not fighting any security personnel but Okomu Oil Company.”

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr Funsho Adegboye, confirmed the attack when contacted on phone.

“We are aware of the incident and have visited the community. We are already holding talks in partnership with sister security organisations and Okomu Oil Palm Company to arrest the situation,” he said.