Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has promised to strengthen security and bring those responsible for recent deadly attacks to justice. The violence, which claimed 24 lives in two separate incidents within a week, has sparked concerns across the state.
The first attack occurred in Gbelemotin, Ovia South-West Local Government Area, after a clash between cocoa farmers and suspected produce thieves. While the Edo State Police initially reported seven deaths, local sources confirmed at least 22 casualties. The violence started on Thursday night and escalated on Friday morning when sympathizers of the victims launched a counterattack, leading to more bloodshed. Militants involved in the clashes also set fire to buildings and destroyed farm produce worth millions of naira in seven farming communities.
In another attack on Monday, suspected herdsmen killed two residents, Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area. The killings have increased tensions in the region, already troubled by farmer-herder conflicts.
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Governor Okpebholo condemned the attacks, calling them “devastating” and reaffirming his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on violence. In a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, he pledged support for displaced families and assured that security agencies, traditional leaders, and communities would work together to prevent further violence.
“We will not tolerate any form of violence or lawlessness in Edo State,” the governor declared. “We will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are brought to justice and will do everything in our power to prevent such incidents in the future.”
To restore order, Governor Okpebholo has ordered more security personnel to the affected areas and promised support for the impacted communities. He urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that his administration is taking every necessary step to bring the situation under control.
