By Usman Aliyu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In Edo, South-South Nigeria, a series of brutal attacks have recently shattered the peace of rural farming communities, leaving behind death, displacement, and despair.

These incidents have not only claimed lives but also exposed the vulnerabilities of these agrarian societies, revealing the need for enhanced security measures.

On the morning of Feb. 21, seven farming settlements in Ovia South-West Local Government Area were attacked by assailants believed to be militants from nearby creeks.

The affected communities—Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe Community, Baba Dele Community, and Thousand Community—are home to diverse ethnic groups.

They include Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Benin farmers who primarily cultivate cash crops such as cocoa, kola nut, and palm oil.

The onslaught forced residents to flee en masse, abandoning their homes and livelihoods.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that at least 23 individuals lost their lives, with several others sustaining injuries.

One witness described the attack as a reprisal for the killing of a suspected cocoa thief, allegedly a militant, by local vigilantes hired by the farmers.

This incident escalated existing tensions between the farmers and the alleged militants, who had previously been accused of encroaching on farmland and stealing produce.

However, the Edo State Police Command confirmed only seven deaths and six injuries, stating that preliminary investigations suggested a communal clash.

In a statement on Feb. 23, CSP Moses Yamu, the command’s Public Relations Officer, said operatives from the Iguobazuwa Police Division, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilantes, had evacuated the casualties to a hospital, where the injured were receiving treatment.

READ ALSO: Suspected Herdsmen Kill Two Farmers In Edo Community

“The joint operation is sustained as the situation has been brought under control and normalcy restored. However, an investigation into the cause of the clash has commenced.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Otimenyin, has vowed that no stone would be left unturned to unravel the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate and avoidable incident,” he said.

Nevertheless, a visit to the scene suggested more severe casualties, as a mass exodus of displaced persons was observed carrying their belongings in search of safer areas.

Fleeing residents

Many homes were reduced to ashes, and the once-thriving farming communities now resembled ghost towns.

Eyewitnesses recounted the horror, describing how the attackers stormed the settlements, fired indiscriminately, torched homes, and destroyed property.

Igbala Obazuaye, head of the Marindoti community, said they had been farming in the area for decades.

However, trouble began in 1998 when some youths started demanding royalties from them.

READ ALSO: Farmers, Alleged Produce Thieves’ Clash Left Many Dead In Edo Community

Albeit paying these levies; ranging from ₦5 million to ₦27 million annually, he said the youths continued to encroach on their farms, steal crops, and even kidnap his people.

Obazuaye, who sustained bullet wounds in the attack, said the assailants invaded the community around 8 a.m., killing seven people in his settlement alone.

According to him, the attackers also burnt cocoa, kola nut, and other cash crops worth more than ₦20 million.

He appealed for military protection, the establishment of a local police station, and assistance in rebuilding their community.

Similarly, Nafisat Abdulazeez, a resident of Dipe community, described the experience as traumatic and called for immediate intervention from Governor Monday Okpebholo.

According to Abdulazeez, no fewer than 15 people were killed in her community, while several others were injured or remain missing.

“They came into our community, shooting and burning houses. They killed 15 people, and many more were injured. They even burnt my house, and my family was forced to flee,” she said.

Fleeing residents

Joseph Otu, a hunter in Marindoti, refuted the police’s claim that the attack was communal, insisting that it was an unprovoked assault by militants seeking to extort and terrorise peaceful farmers.

Otu also urged the authorities to deploy security forces to safeguard the area, stressing that these farming communities contribute greatly to the state’s economy through the cultivation of crops like cocoa, kola nuts, and plantains.

Likewise, Usman Mukaila, another resident of Dipe community, commended the swift deployment of soldiers from the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army under Brig-Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo.

However, he called for the establishment of a permanent military base in the area.

READ ALSO: Edo Police Give Update On Farmers, Alleged Produce Thieves Clash, As Causalities Increase

“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.

“We, however, urge him to establish a permanent Army base here. We are crying; we really need his help. You can see all our women and children leaving,” he said.

Surprisingly, just three days after the Ovia attacks, two farmers were killed in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area, allegedly by suspected herdsmen.

The victims, identified as Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello, were reportedly attacked on their way to the farm on Feb. 24.

Confirming the incident, CSP Yamu stated that the attack was reported by the Chief of Okpekpe at about 9 a.m.

“The command received a report today at about 0900hrs from the Chief of Okpekpe that two of his subjects were attacked and killed on their farms by suspected herdsmen.

“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and mobile police officers deployed in Uzanu arrived at the scene and found their lifeless bodies,” Yamu said.

In response to the killings, Yamu stated that the police had reviewed security arrangements in the area to track down the perpetrators and prevent further attacks.

“Security arrangements in the area have been reviewed to go after the criminals and forestall a recurrence,” he added.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over rising insecurity in the state, particularly in farming settlements, where farmers have suffered repeated assaults.

For instance, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo expressed disappointment over the killings.

Burnt vehicle

READ ALSO: Edo Communal Clash Escalates, 22 Feared Killed, Seven Communities Attacked

In a statement, Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the party’s Caretaker Committee in the state, challenged the governor to take urgent and decisive steps to curb the situation before it spirals out of control.

Expectedly, the recurring nature of these attacks calls for enhanced security measures, including the establishment of a permanent military base in Marindoti and a general strengthening of the state’s security apparatus.

For example, residents argue that the closest police station, located in Igbobazuwa, is approximately a four-hour journey from Marindoti, making timely intervention during emergencies nearly impossible.

Community leaders have also highlighted the economic impact of insecurity.

The disruption of farming activities threatens food security not only within Edo, but also in other regions that rely on produce from these communities.

Although Gov. Monday Okpebholo has condemned the killings and ordered the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to the affected areas, security analysts argue that this measure alone may not be sufficient.

Instead, they advocate for the establishment of a military base in Marindoti, which they believe would deter potential attackers and enable a swift response to future incidents.

Additionally, stakeholders emphasise that improved infrastructure, such as accessible roads and reliable communication networks would enhance coordination between local communities and security agencies.

They stress that addressing Edo’s security challenges requires a multifaceted approach.

Overall, many emphasise that the state government must not neglect its responsibility to safeguard lives and property, regardless of residents’ ethnicity, gender, or economic status. (NANFeatures)