By Jethro Ibileke
Suspected herdsmen have reportedly killed two farmers, Philip Batemue (aka Ebo) and Christopher Bello, in Okpekpe community, Etsako East LGA of Edo State.
The paramount ruler (Onwuweko of Okpekpe), HRH Peter Osigbemeh, confirmed the incident on the phone to journalists in Benin, the State capital.
He disclosed that policemen are presently on the ground in the mourning community to further maintain peace.
Also confirming the incident, the Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, Benedicta Attoh, expressed concern about the ongoing killing in the North Ibie Zone.
Attoh, in a statement issued through her Chief Press Secretary Benjamin Atu, said if the State Government does not take immediate action to stop the killing, the entire community will be wiped out.
“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.
“We urge the Governor of the State to deploy security across the community bushes and activate Local Vigilante, which she has consistently used to secure the council area,” she said.
When contacted, the State Police Command spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, promised to get back to the press. He was however yet to respond at the time of filing the report.