Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the recent violent assaults on seven farming communities in the Ovia South West Local Government Area, which resulted in the tragic loss of 22 lives and left numerous others injured.
The governor also expressed outrage over the killings of two farmers, Batemue Ebo and Christopher Bello, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government, allegedly perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Benin by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining law and order in the state.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are brought to justice. We will do everything in our power to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future,” he asserted.
Eyewitness reports suggest that militants were behind the attacks in Ovia South West, which also led to the destruction of farm produce and properties worth millions of naira. In response, Governor Okpebholo has ordered the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to the affected regions.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Edo State residents. We will work closely with security agencies, traditional leaders, and community members to achieve this goal,” he stated.
The governor has also directed that support be extended to affected communities and has called on residents to remain calm and collaborate with security forces in addressing the crisis.
“We urge everyone to remain calm and to go about their normal business. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the situation is brought under control,” he added.
The governor’s strong stance underscores his administration’s determination to restore peace and security in the state as efforts continue to address the aftermath of these violent incidents.
