Two persons have been killed in a leadership crisis in Iyanomo community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State.

The two persons, identified as Eboh Enomwa and Stephen Imaghodo, were killed last week at the height of the crisis between the warring factions over who controls the community.

A statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, said the state government had launched an investigation into the murder of the duo.

Itua in the statement said the investigation is being spearheaded by the Edo State Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers”, in collaboration with security agencies and community leaders.

READ ALSO: New Edo Line Passengers Abducted

According to the statement, on Saturday, the investigative team was led by the Government House Chief Security Officer, CSP Osaro Roberts, and the Principal Security Officer to the governor, Okoh Saturday, to the community to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the killings of Enomwa and Imaghodo.

Addressing the community during the visit, the Secretary of the Special Security Squad, Barr. John Izegaebe, condemned the act of violence and reiterated the government’s resolve to stamp out cultism, kidnapping, and communal clashes in Edo.

He said, “Our findings so far point to a leadership tussle between two rival factions in Iyanomo, which degenerated into violence and ultimately claimed the lives of two men.

“This is unacceptable. The Governor has directed us to ensure that all those involved in this heinous act are identified, arrested, and prosecuted. No one is above the law.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests 26, Recovers 41,410.53 KG Drugs In Edo

“The government condoles with the families of the victims and assures them that justice will be served. At the same time, we are sending a very strong message to community leaders: disputes must be resolved legally, not through violence.

“Governor Okpebholo has zero tolerance for crime, and anyone who foments unrest in Edo communities will face the full wrath of the law.”

Residents of Iyanomo Community, who received the team with relief, expressed appreciation to the governor and the security squad for their swift response.

The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory, has embarked on a seven-day warning strike.

The development was announced on Monday, in a communiqué signed by the President, George Ebong, alongside other members of the executive.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Doctors Issue 10-day Ultimatum, Threaten Strike

The doctors described the FCT health system as one plagued by long-standing systemic failures, calling for urgent and comprehensive reforms.

Ebong noted that resident doctors in the territory are under intense pressure, often compelled to cover multiple departments simultaneously.

More details shortly…

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a Benue State man, Lintex Ogale, who reportedly stabbed his girlfriend, Deborah Okwori, to death in her apartment located in the mainland area of the state.

The command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed this in an exclusive telephone interview with PUNCH Metro on Sunday.

It was earlier gathered from the victim’s cousin, Laff Ijuo, that the suspect and the victim’s romantic relationship had gone sour about two years ago.

Ijuo, in an interview with PUNCH Metro on Sunday, said Deborah had on several occasions reiterated her unwillingness to continue the relationship with Lintex, a decision the suspect was said to have continued to resist.

READ ALSO:Woman Allegedly Stabs Husband To Death Over Suspicious Neighbour In Delta

Ijuo noted that the situation between the duo went wild on Wednesday after Lintex allegedly disguised himself as a dispatch rider to enter his estranged girlfriend’s apartment.

Ijuo said, “The victim’s name is Deborah Okwori, and the accused is Lintex Ogale. Both are from Benue State. They were dating, but Deborah ended things about two years ago. Since then, the guy has been insisting that they should reconcile, but she refused.

“He started making threats that she cannot move on with another man and that if he can’t have her, no one will. Deborah had to block him on all platforms so that she could have her peace, but he tried every means to lure her out and meet him with different phone numbers. However, she declined.

“Knowing where she lives, he gained access to the estate on Wednesday night, disguised as a dispatch rider. Her compound gate was locked, so he used another compound through the fence to gain entrance. He came along with a knife.”

READ ALSO:Man Stabs Colleague To Death In Lagos Over Money Dispute

The cousin alleged that Lintex, armed with a knife, had forced his way into Deborah’s apartment before stabbing her in the stomach.

He continued that the neighbours who heard the ensuing noise stormed the scene, overpowered the suspect, and called the police.

He added, “The main door was not closed, but the net was locked. He broke the net and went in. He cut off the gas supply hose in an attempt to trigger an explosion, but that didn’t work.

“He then overpowered her and stabbed her multiple times. The cuts were so deep that her lungs were perforated. Through the neighbours, the guy was disarmed, and the police were called to pick him up.”

READ ALSO:26-year-old Nigerian Fatally Stabbed In London

Ijuo appealed to the authorities to ensure that justice is served in the matter.

“We want justice to be served accordingly. We have seen how similar cases were carried out,” he concluded.

Confirming the arrest, Oluseyi said that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

“I can confirm the incident involving Deborah. The suspect has been arrested, and the case has been transferred to the SCID for further investigation,” the DPRO said.

READ ALSO:Anambra Lady, Lover Arrested For Staging Own Kidnap

This incident added to the number of domestic violence and assault cases involving lovers and couples alike.

The trend, which often stems from unresolved disputes and misunderstandings, often results in injuries for victims and, in some cases, death.

In January, a 22-year-old lady identified as Iyanu Adedeji allegedly stabbed her husband, Funsho Jimoh, to death in the Gbonogun area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

It was learnt that the duo, who were married with two children, argued over alleged extramarital affairs, which degenerated into a scuffle.

READ ALSO:Driver Stabs Former Boss To Death In Lagos

During the scuffle, Iyanu had allegedly stabbed Funsho in the chest, leading to his death.

Similarly, in February, the Bauchi State Police Command arrested one Salamatu Danjuma, a 25-year-old resident of Nadabo village in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, in connection with the death of her husband.

According to the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, preliminary investigations revealed that the couple had been facing an ongoing domestic dispute regarding the custody of their six-year-old daughter.
(PUNCH)