Tragedy struck the Okpekpe community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State on Monday as suspected herdsmen attacked and killed two farmers, causing widespread panic among residents.
The victims, identified as Philip Batemue, popularly known as Ebo, and Christopher Bello, were reportedly ambushed while on their way to their farms early Monday morning.
Local vigilantes recovered the bodies of the deceased and deposited them at a nearby morgue.
The death of the two farmers were confirmed by both the community’s traditional ruler, Onwuweko of Okpekpe, HRH Peter Osigbemeh and the chairman of the local government, Hon Benedicta Atoh.
Attoh, in a statement by his media aide, Ben Atu expressed concern over the ongoing killings in the Okpekpe community of North Ibie Zone, saying if immediate actions were not taken by the government to halt the killing, the entire community will be wiped out.
The Chairman also described the killing as a ‘black Monday.’
Meanwhile, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the attack and expressed disappointment over the failure of Governor Monday Okpebholo to live up to his primary responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
The party in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, accused the Governor of abandoning governance for needless jamborees to mark his 100 days in office without significant achievements, while innocent Edo citizens are being slaughtered.
“We are deeply saddened by the heinous attack on the people of Okpekpe Community in Etsako East Local Government Area by suspected herdsmen, which led to the gruesome murder of two innocent citizens, Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello.
“We condemn this dastardly act in the strongest terms and send our heartfelt condolences to their families, loved ones, and the entire community during this difficult time,” Nehikhare said.
When contacted, Spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, who said he would get back to journalists has not done so as at the time of filling this report