Edo State, the ‘heartbeat of the nation’ in the last week, has recorded well over 32 deaths across the state. Most of the deaths were caused by man, while one was a result of natural occurrence. The death, however, raised concern among residents of the state.
The latest orgy of the killing was in Okpekpe, a community in Etsako
East local government area of Edo state. Okpekpe became prominent for hosting the popular annual International Marathon race, sadly losing its reputation owing to the tragic killing of two indigenous people of the community by killer Herdsmen.
The victims, Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello were gruesomely butchered on Monday morning. The killing, considered strange in Okpekpe, left members of the community in utter shock and fear.
Also, in Ovia South West local government area of Edo State, a clash between cocoa farmers and some farm produce thieves left no fewer than 28-person deaths with properties worth millions of naira lost in the wake of the deadly attack.
The vigilantes were said to have killed four of the Izon boys. A development which led those sympathetic to the Izon boys to carry out a reprisal attack.
As the authorities battle to bring under control the wanton killings, another tragedy struck in the same week as a middle-aged man died after he was hit by a fallen broadcast mast at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The mast had fallen on the man during a heavy breeze that preceded a heavy down, which disrupted a praise night planned as part of activities to mark Governor Monday Okpehbolo’s 100 days in Office.
In a similar development, the police also announced the arrest of one Kelvin Izekor for the murder of his wife, Success Izekor, aged 38.
In a viral video, police and residents of the area were seen taking the deceased, who had matches cuts on their head being taken from her apartment into the police Hilux truck.
The couple were said to be newly married, and residents were at a loss as to what could have happened between the couple that led to the killing of Success.
The police public relations officer (PPRO) of Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident in a statement, stated that the husband was about to be lynched by an irate mob before the police arrived and arrested the suspect.
