FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo State Police Command at the weekend confirmed that five persons were feared killed and four others injured in a clash between cocoa farmers and some suspected thieves in Gbelemotin community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state.
The clash, which started Thursday night, escalated on Friday morning as those believed to be sympathetic to the victims mobilised and launched a counterattack on Friday morning.
AljazirahNigeria gathered that many people were feared killed and many houses burnt in the attack and counter-attacks.
A source in the locality who pleaded anonymity told AljazirahNigeria that the crisis started when an Ikale cocoa farmer hired some vigilantes to guard his farm, which has been under heavy poaching by some suspected Izon boys.
The vigilantes were said to have killed four of the Izon boys, which led to a counterattack on Friday.
“There was fighting last Friday in my zone, many were killed. A vigilante sponsored by an Ikale man killed four Izon boys two nights ago”, he said.
“The boys were allegedly stealing produce belonging to the Yoruba.The boys are from Kolombor ,Gbelemotin.
“On Friday morning, there was a counterattack, and some people were killed and houses burnt. The number of casualties on the other side is yet not known.
“Soldiers and other security officers were deployed .They moved some bodies but there are still many bodies in the bushes.
“The cocoa these boys were stealing belong to the Yoruba farmers in the area, at Madotti Camp. The Yorubas must have suffered some collateral losses”.
When contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu said five persons were confirmed dead while four others were injured in the clash.
“Five persons were confirmed dead while four others were injured in a clash between the Gbelemoti community and Maidoti community.
“Joint operation with the army, vigilantes, and other agencies is ongoing as the situation has been brought under control.
“Investigation into the cause of the clash has equally commenced”, Yamu said.
