Suspected herdsmen on Thursday matcheted two farmers to death at Eware Village in Etsako West local government area of Edo State.
The victims are identified as Lucky Salami and Julius Arewa, while the third person, Omokhagbon Abu who is popularly known as Udugboya is reportedly battling to survive at an undisclosed hospital.
These fresh killings are coming less than three days after Governor Monday Okpebholo called for security beef-up in areas like Okpekpe in Etsako East and Ivbiaro in Owan East local government areas where suspected criminal herdsmen hacked three people to death in a similar manner.
The 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, suspecting the killers as Fulani herdsmen.
Zibiri, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Iyamah Nurudeen said, “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.
He vowed 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, Zibiri called on the Edo State Government and relevant security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators of the evil act are brought to justice.
The chairman stressed the need for increased security presence in rural communities to prevent further occurrences of such violence and to protect farmers who are the backbone of the local economy.
Zibiri appealed to the people to remain calm and law-abiding, while urging community leaders and stakeholders to collaborate with security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits.
Edo State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu said he was yet to get the details of the incident from the police authorities in the area, promising to give details once the information is received.
