Calm has returned to several communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State following a violent outbreak that left at least 23 people feared dead and many others injured.
The affected areas include Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe Community, Bala Dele Community, and Thousand Community, all predominantly inhabited by farmers from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Benin.
Eyewitnesses reported that armed assailants, believed to be militants from nearby creeks, invaded the settlements early on February 21, firing indiscriminately and setting homes ablaze. The violence forced many residents to flee, abandoning their properties and livelihoods.
One witness suggested that the attacks were a reprisal for the killing of a suspected cocoa thief by local vigilantes hired by the farmers, escalating existing tensions between the farmers and alleged militants accused of encroaching on farmlands and stealing crops.
CSP Moses Yamu, spokesman for the police command, confirmed on Sunday that the Iguobazuwa Police Division, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes, had intervened.
“The joint operation has restored peace to the communities,” he stated, adding that investigations into the clashes have commenced. He emphasized that Commissioner of Police Betty Otimenyin is committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the “unfortunate and avoidable incident.”
A correspondent from NAN visiting the scene noted a mass exodus of displaced residents carrying their belongings in search of safer areas. Many homes were destroyed, leaving the once-thriving farming communities resembling ghost towns.
Igbala Obazuaye, head of Marindoti community, recounted that farming in the region had been peaceful until some youths began demanding royalties from them.
“It started in 1998 when some youths began encroaching on our land, stealing our crops, and kidnapping our people, notwithstanding the payment of the royalties,” he explained.
Obazuaye, who sustained bullet wounds during the attack, reported that seven people were killed in his community alone, and the assailants caused damages exceeding N20 million by burning cocoa, kola nut, and cash crops. He called for the establishment of a police station and assistance in rebuilding their communities.
Nafisat Abdulazeez, a resident of Dipe Community, described the traumatic experience, stating that at least 15 people were killed in her area, with many others missing.
“They came into our community, shooting and burning houses. They killed 15 people, and many more were injured,” she said, adding that her own home was destroyed, forcing her family to flee.
Mr. Joseph Otu, another resident, refuted claims that the attack was communal, asserting it was an unprovoked assault by militants aimed at extorting and terrorizing peaceful farmers. He urged authorities to deploy security forces to the area, highlighting the communities’ vital contributions to the state’s economy through the cultivation of crops like cocoa, kola nuts, and plantain.
