The pastoral community of Eware in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State was thrown into mourning on Monday as suspected herdsmen killed two farmers, identified as Lucky Salami and Julius Arewa.
The third victim, Omokhagbon Abu, popularly known as Udugboya, is said to be in critical condition, battling for survival in an undisclosed hospital in the locality.
Monday’s killing, Nigerian Tribune gathered, occurred less than three days after Governor Monday Okpebholo called for security to be beefed up in localities such as Okpekpe in Etsako East and Ivbiaro in Owan East, where suspected criminal Fulani herdsmen had hacked three people to death in a similar manner.
The distraught Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area, Marvelous Zibiri, while confirming the incident, said the killings took place in Eware Village, Ward 8 Anwain, and that the killers were believed to be Fulani herdsmen.
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A statement by his Press Secretary, Iyamah Nurudeen, quoted Zibiri as saying: “This dastardly and heinous act has not only claimed the innocent lives of two individuals but has also left other injured victims hospitalized, thereby instilling fear and unrest in the peaceful community of Eware and its environs.”
Zibiri described the incident as a barbaric and unacceptable act that undermines the peace and security of Etsako West Local Government Area.
The council boss warned that the local government would 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, he called on the Edo State Government and all relevant security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to justice.
Zibiri also emphasized 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.
He appealed to the people to remain calm and law-abiding, urging community leaders and stakeholders to collaborate with security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits.
When contacted, the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) Commander, Friday Ibadin, directed journalists to contact “the lead agency, the police.”
The Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, on his part, said he was yet to receive details of the incident from the police in the area.
However, the Edo Police Command PPRO assured that he would provide details once the information was available.
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