Metro
Edo Communal Clash Escalates, 22 Feared Killed, Seven Communities Attacked
The communal clash in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State escalated Sunday, leading to 22 persons’ deaths, while several others were injured.
The escalated clash resulted in devastating attacks on seven farming communities namely: Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe Community, Bala Dele Community, and Thousand Community.
Recall that INFO DAILY, while quoting the Edo State Police Command spokesman, Moses Yamu reported that five persons died and four others injured in the clash between cocoa farmers and some alleged produce thieves.
The clash which started on Thursday night escalated on Friday morning as those believed to be sympathetic to the victims of the Thursday night fight, mobilised and launched a counter attack on Friday morning .
READ ALSO: Edo Police Give Update On Farmers, Alleged Produce Thieves Clash, As Causalities Increase
But continuing the fight on Sunday, eyewitnesses said the assailants, stormed the settlements early in the morning, wielding firearms and other weapons.
“They came into our community, shooting and burning houses. They killed 15 people, and many more were injured,” said Nafisat Abdulazeez, a resident of Dipe community.
The attackers unleashed terror by shooting indiscriminately, setting houses ablaze, and destroying property, including motorcycles and vehicles.
The onslaught forced residents to flee en masse, abandoning their homes and livelihoods.
Igbala Obazuaye, the head of Marindoti community, who sustained bullet wounds, said the assailants evaded the community around 8 am, killing seven persons in his community alone.
READ ALSO: Police Confirm 5 Dead, 4 Injured In Farmers, Alleged Produce Thieves Clash In Edo
“It started in 1998 when some youths began encroaching on our land, stealing our crops, and kidnapping our people, notwithstanding the payment of the royalties,” he said.
Obazuaye appealed for military protection, the establishment of a local police station, and assistance in rebuilding their communities.
“They burnt cocoa, kola nut, and cash worth more than N20 million,” he added.
The Police in Edo, however, confirmed only seven killed and six injured, saying a preliminary investigation suggested a communal clash.
READ ALSO: Edo: Man, 23, Remanded In Prison Over Alleged Robbery, Possession Of Fire Arm
Joseph Otu refuted the claim that the attack was communal, saying it was an unprovoked attack by militants aiming to extort and terrorize peaceful farmers.
Otu also urged authorities to deploy security forces to safeguard the area, highlighting the communities’ significant contributions to the state’s economy through the cultivation of crops like cocoa, kola nuts, and plantains.
Usman Mukaila of Dipe community lauded the immediate deployment of men of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo, calling for the establishment of an Army beat in the area.
“We commend the Commander of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin, for the immediate intervention and deployment of soldiers.
“That has helped to calm the situation for now. If not for him, the rest of the people would have gone. We also thank the governor,” he said.
Metro
Four Die As Bomb Explosion Rocks Borno
A bomb explosion has reportedly killed four travellers in Borno State, with many others sustaining injuries.
According to reports by local media, the bomb exploded around 3:00 pm on Wednesday along the Damboa-Maiduguri road.
The incident involved a car carrying an unconfirmed number of passengers.
READ ALSO:Gas Explosion Kills Two, Injures Six In Anambra Market
DAILY POST reports that bomb explosions also occurred a few weeks ago along Damboa-Maiduguri road, killing seven people.
The road is one of the major routes for terrorists, who often plant bombs to discourage other users.
Security authorities are yet to confirm the incident at the time of filing this report.
Metro
JUST IN: Many Killed As Soldiers, Bandits Exchange Gunfire In Kaduna
Scores of bandits and some military personnel have been killed following a gun battle in Niger and Kaduna States.
Nigerian Army Headquarters made the disclosure in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday.
The statement said the operations were carried out in Kwanar Dutse Mairiga and Boka, Niger State, and Aungwan Turai, Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.
The daredevil terrorists had launched an unprovoked attack on the aforementioned areas.
REAS ALSO:Police Neutralise Bandit, Rescue 5 Kidnapped Victims In Katsina
According to the statement, in response to the attacks, “land and air component troops launched several counter-attacks that eliminated scores of bandits in the encounters.
“Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles, while four wounded in-action troops are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds. Additional updates later.”
Metro
Police Detain 3 Nsukka Masqueraders For Allegedly Assaulting Residents
The police command in Enugu State has detained three masqueraders in the Nsukka area of the state for allegedly assaulting law-abiding citizens.
The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday that police operatives, with the assistance of members of the community, led to the arrest of the suspects on June 23 at 3:30 p.m.
He said that the arrest of the suspects was in connection with the alleged physical assault of citizens by the ‘Oriokpa’ Masquerade group on June 22 as seen in a viral video.
READ ALSO: Enugu To Regulate Native Doctors, Herbalists
“The suspects, along with others still at large, took advantage of the ‘Oriokpa’ Masquerade celebration to assault several innocent members of the public, inflicting bodily injuries on them.
“One of the victims was hospitalised for treatment due to injuries sustained during the attack.
“The masqueraders initially resisted police arrest and fled the scene.
“However, with the assistance of law-abiding community members, the three suspects were later identified and apprehended,” he said.
READ ALSO: Police Rescue Robbery Suspect From Irate Mob, Recover Pistol In Enugu
The spokesman said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Mamman Giwa, had ordered a thorough investigation into the case to ensure that justice was served.
Ndukwe quoted the commissioner as saying that masquerade celebration was a sacred and symbolic aspect of the nation’s culture.
He said that the state police chief, however, decried the actions of those who exploited the occasion to commit criminal acts.
Ndukwe said that the commissioner warned against the use of cultural festivities as a cover for fomenting trouble and committing crimes against fellow citizens, as perpetrated by the ‘Oriokpa’ masqueraders.
“The command is assuring the public that all those involved in the assault of law-abiding citizens will be brought to justice,” he added.
(NAN)
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