Five Killed, Homes Burnt as Farmers and Suspected Thieves Face Off
Five people lost their lives in a violent clash between cocoa farmers and alleged produce thieves in Edo State on Saturday.
The Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), confirmed that four others sustained injuries during the incident, which occurred at Gbelemotin in Ovia Southwest Local Government Area.
Yamu stated: “The clash involved Gbelemotin and Maidoti communities in the same Ovia Southwest LGA of Edo State. Joint operation by police with the Army, other security agencies and vigilance members is ongoing, and the situation has been brought under control. Investigation into the cause of the clash has also commenced.”
Reports indicate that the violence began on Thursday night but escalated on Friday, leading to the destruction of several homes in the affected communities.
According to sources, the conflict started when an Ikale cocoa farmer hired vigilance members to guard his farm after it was allegedly invaded by suspected Izon youths. The situation took a deadly turn when the vigilance members reportedly killed five of the intruders.
The next morning, a group of Izon youths launched a retaliatory attack in response to the killings.
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A key stakeholder in the area, who spoke anonymously, said: “The Izon boys were stealing produce belonging to a Yoruba man. The boys are from Kolombor (Gbelemotin). On Friday morning, there was a counter attack. Soldiers and other security personnel have been deployed in the area. The cocoa the boys were stealing belongs to Yoruba farmers in the area, particularly at Madotti Camp.”
The source described the incident as both unfortunate and avoidable, urging local youths to seek meaningful engagements rather than resort to violence.
Security operatives remain on high alert in the area as investigations continue.
