Two farmers have reportedly been killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in an agrarian community of Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
This was disclosed by the chairman of the local government, Hon (Princess) Benedicta Attoh, through her Chief Press Secretary, Benjamin Atu.
Hon. Attoh who spoke about the incident, said Mr. Philip Batemue (aka Ebo) and another, Mr. Christopher Bello, were killed Monday morning – today, February 24 – by suspected herders, on their way to their farms.
While condemning the spate of killings in the community, she frowned at the federal government’s stance amid the herdsmen’s attacks which she said are costing too many lives.
“It is time to tackle this high level insecurity by deploying military in parts of the bush and farm areas to give the farmers an immediate sense of safety in their farmlands”, Attoh said.
She also lamented the ongoing killings by marauding herdsmen and militias across the council, saying that Etsako East has become a killing field.
Urging the Governor of the State to deploy security across the community bushes, she called for “activation” of local vigilantes, whom she disclosed she had consistently used to secure the council area.
When contacted for confirmation of the incident, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu said he was yet to be briefed and that upon confirmation, he would get back to the reporter.
But by press time, he was yet to confirm the killings.
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