Two weeks after the killing of 21 people in seven farming communities in Ovia South-West Local Government Area, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday finally visited the communities to commiserate with the bereaved families.
DAILY POST reports that during the attack on the communities by suspected Ijaw militias, 21 people were reportedly killed, several sustained various degrees of injuries, and houses and property worth millions of naira were burnt and destroyed.
During the visit, Okpebholo vowed to ensure that those responsible for the 21st February killings in the seven communities were brought to justice.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in the area.
While conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities, the governor pledged to facilitate the establishment of a police outpost to prevent future attacks and enhance security.
Emphasising that peace and security remained his primary responsibility, he stressed that no crime would go unpunished under his leadership.
“From the testimonies I heard and the investigations conducted, these are criminals who invaded your farms to steal the crops you have laboured for. As a government, we will go after them.
“I assure you that you will live here in peace. Our actions will prove that lasting peace is coming. No individual should be more powerful than an entire community—burning houses and killing people just to steal farm produce.
“Wherever they are hiding, we will hunt them down, bring them to justice, and ensure that peace prevails.
“I understand your pain, but I urge you to take heart. Do not fight anyone or resort to violence. Maintain the peace as you have been doing. I assure you that we will work here so you can feel the presence of the government and experience real development.
“We have already deployed soldiers to the area, and we now have three additional Operation Rescue patrol vehicles to support them. Once I return to Benin, I will liaise with the Commissioner of Police to expedite the establishment of a police outpost to ensure sustained security,” he stated.
He, however, urged the residents to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands, assuring them of government intervention.
As part of the peace efforts, the governor also met with leaders and members of Gbelebe, a neighbouring Ijaw community, where he sued for harmony and assured them of government support.
Leaders from Madoti and Gbelebe communities recounted that the crisis erupted when hoodlums attempted to steal farm produce from farmers in Madoti’s farm settlements but were confronted by a newly formed local vigilante group.
They also lamented the long-standing menace of farm theft and pleaded with the governor to intensify efforts in protecting lives and property, ensuring that farmers could work without fear of attacks.
DAILY POST reports that from 21st February 2025 to date, no fewer than five other farmers had been killed in the state.
The farmers were killed in Owan East, Etsako East, and Etsako West Local Government Areas, respectively, while a physically challenged person was killed in Obazagbon community in Oredo Local Government Area by gunmen.
During the same period, a Catholic priest and a seminarian were abducted by suspected kidnappers at St Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area.
However, security operatives arrested four suspects and killed one in connection with the abduction of the Catholic priest and the seminarian. Eight suspects were arrested for the killing of the physically challenged person, and three were arrested for the killing of a farmer in Owan East Local Government.
Gov Okpebholo visits farming communities where suspected Ijaw militias killed 21 residents
