One person has reportedly lost his life, while several others sustained injuries following an attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ukhun, a community in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Despite ongoing efforts by the state government to combat criminal activities involving herders and kidnappers, violent incidents continue to plague the region.
The latest assault, which occurred over the weekend, was brought to public attention through a viral one-minute, 30-second video circulating on social media.
In the footage, a distressed voice reported the dire situation, calling for urgent government intervention.
“This is Ukhun community in Esan West. We are under attack by Fulani herdsmen. They have blocked the road and killed Mr Dan, an Igbira man, and some individuals are still missing in the bush. We need immediate rescue,” the voice pleaded.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the assailants targeted farmers on their way to their fields, allegedly attempting to kidnap them. However, the victims managed to escape.
Residents lamented that such attacks have become alarmingly frequent. They recalled an incident in February when a farmer, Mallam Bello Obadan, was kidnapped and brutally attacked.
He sustained severe machete wounds, leaving him unconscious. His abductors, assuming he was dead, abandoned him. He was later rescued and spent months in the hospital recovering.
Reacting to the worsening security crisis, the Onojie of Ukhun, Zaiki Thomas Omoigiade, made a passionate appeal to Governor Monday Okpebholo, law enforcement agencies, and security bodies for urgent intervention.
“Ukhun needs government protection. Our people live in fear daily,” he stated.
Similarly, Alex Eguakhide, CEO of FECHA Project Ltd, urged authorities to safeguard residents, emphasizing that peasant farmers are unable to tend to their fields due to safety concerns.
He warned that the persistent attacks have made life unbearable for locals, affecting their ability to provide for their families.
In response, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpoma, Solomon Ekeweye, led a team of officers to assess the crime scene.
When contacted, Edo State Police Command spokesperson Moses Yamu stated that the command was yet to be briefed on the incident but promised to investigate further.
