Terror in Edo: Armed herdsmen kill one, injure several in Ukhun community attack

Residents of Ukhun, a small farming community in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, have been thrown into mourning following a deadly attack by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen.

The assailants unleashed mayhem on the community, killing one person and leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.

This incident follows closely on the heels of a similar attack in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, which resulted in the deaths of two farmers.

The increasing frequency of such attacks has raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Edo State despite efforts by the government to curb the menace of killer herdsmen and kidnappers.

A viral one-and-a-half-minute video circulating on social media captured the trauma of the helpless villagers as they wept uncontrollably, calling on security agencies and the state government for urgent intervention.

In the video, a distraught narrator lamented:“Situation report, situation report. This is Ukhun Community in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. We are under attack. Ukhun Kingdom is under attack.

Fulani herdsmen have blocked the road. They killed Mr. Dan, an Igbira man living in Ukhun in the bush this morning, and we are still searching for others who are missing.

We need government support; we need rescue. Please, anyone who can help, we are reporting live from Ukhun, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. This is a situation report.”

Eyewitnesses recounted that the assailants ambushed farmers on their way to their farms, attempting to kidnap them. However, the farmers managed to escape the deadly trap. Locals expressed frustration that such violent attacks have become alarmingly frequent in their agrarian community.

Residents recalled a chilling incident from just last month when a local farmer, Bello Obadan, was ambushed, brutally macheted, and kidnapped on his way to the farm.

The attackers inflicted deep cuts on his nose and other parts of his body, leaving him unconscious from excessive blood loss. Believing him to be dead, his abductors abandoned him in the bush.

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He was later rescued but spent three months in the hospital, incurring huge medical expenses.

In response to the fresh attack, the traditional ruler of Ukhun, His Royal Highness Thomas Aboiralor Omoigiade, the Onojie of Ukhun, made a passionate appeal to the Edo State Government, security agencies, and local vigilantes for urgent intervention.

“Ukhun is in dire need of government intervention and assistance to protect our people,” the monarch pleaded.

Echoing the king’s call, Alex Eguakhide, Chief Executive Officer of FECHA Project Ltd, lamented the deteriorating security situation, noting that peasant farmers in Ukhun now live in fear of kidnappings and killings.

“Nowhere is safe anymore for my people. Something must be done urgently to arrest the situation and bring these invaders to justice,” he stated.

Eguakhide further stressed that the worsening insecurity is making life unbearable for the agrarian community, as many residents are now afraid to go to their farms, leading to food shortages and economic hardship.

Reports indicate that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpoma, Solomon Ekeweye, led a team of officers to assess the crime scene and engage with local residents.

However, when contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, disclosed that the command was yet to be formally briefed on the incident.

He assured that investigations would be launched, and updates provided in due course.

The latest attack further amplifies the urgent need for decisive action to address the growing wave of insecurity in Edo State, particularly in farming communities that have become hotspots for violent crimes.

Residents continue to call on both state and federal authorities to implement concrete measures to protect lives and property before the situation spirals out of control.