Wake Up Call For Security As Edo Mourns 26 Lives Lost in Tragic Wave Of Violence
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin City
The angel of death was at work in Edo State these last few days, leaving a trail of sorrow and devastation. From Oredo to Ovia and Etsako, over 20 lives were tragically claimed in a series of violent and dastardly incidents that have caught security agencies unaware and shaken the citizenry.
In the aftermath, citizens called on the state government to intervene immediately to restore peace and security. Others called for the deployment of military personnel to patrol farmlands and a reactivation of the local vigilante network to curb the rising insecurity.
The first of these tragedies unfolded last Thursday evening at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, where a mast collapsed during heavy rainfall, claiming the life of a young man, Pius Etim. The incident, was described by Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo as “unfortunate, sad, and painful.”
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, assuring them of the state government’s support during this difficult time. He also vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the shoddy construction of the collapsed structure, which was reportedly erected during the administration of his predecessor in office.
The grief in the State deepened when the news of a brutal attack on seven farming communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area broke. Armed men reportedly invaded the communities on Friday, February 21, 2025, killing 22 people and injuring several others.
The assailants set buildings and farm produce ablaze, causing millions of naira in damages and forcing residents to flee their homes. The affected communities—Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe, Bala Dele, etc as it were are predominantly inhabited by farmers from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Edo. The attack, an alleged reprisal for the killing of a suspected cocoa thief by local vigilantes, has since mortgaged peace and heightened tensions in the area.
Residents of the affected communities have called for urgent government intervention. They appealed for military protection, the establishment of a local police station, and assistance in rebuilding their communities. One resident described the harrowing experience, noting that 15 people were killed in her community alone. She called on the state government to intervene immediately to restore peace and security.
In a rather dramatic but separate incident, unknown gunmen killed two local farmers, Philip Batemue (also known as Ebo) and Christopher Bello, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area, weekend. The traditional ruler of Okpekpe, HRH Peter Osigbemeh, confirmed the attack and called for increased security measures to prevent further violence. Officials of the Etsako East Local Government Council, which overseas the community echoed these concerns, urging the state government to deploy military personnel to patrol farmlands and reactivate the local vigilante network to curb the rising insecurity.
Amid these tragedies, the Edo State Police Command arrested one man, Kelvin Izekor for allegedly killing his wife, Success Izekor, in a shocking domestic violence incident. The police intervened just in time to prevent an angry mob from lynching the suspect, who now faces the full weight of the law.
A visibly worried Governor Monday Okpebholo must have wondered the coincidence, soon after he empowered the State security agencies with new sets of vehicles. He condemned the killings in Ovia and Okpekpe, describing them as “heinous acts” that will not be tolerated. He ordered the deployment of additional security personnel to the affected areas and pledged to work closely with traditional leaders and community members to restore peace.
In his words, “We will not tolerate any form of violence or lawlessness in Edo State. We will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are brought to justice, and we will do everything in our power to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.”
The Governor also called on the people of Edo State to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as they work to address the crisis. “We urge everyone to remain calm and to go about their normal business,” he said. “We are doing everything possible to ensure that the situation is brought under control.”
As the State grapples with these tragic events, the governor’s swift response and calls for unity offer a glimmer of hope, but the road to healing and justice remains long and arduous. A security expert suggests measures that can be implemented to restore order and prevent further violence.
She says, “Security agencies must strengthen their intelligence-gathering mechanisms by working closely with local communities”. This she argues will involve establishing confidential tip lines and collaborating with traditional rulers, vigilante groups, and local security networks to help identify perpetrators before they strike. It will also require deploying undercover operatives in hotspots.
With the government recently providing state of the art vehicles there is a call for increased tactical patrols and checkpoints.
“Given the widespread nature of these attacks, security forces should establish well-coordinated patrols and response teams across affected areas”. In addition, they are urged to ensure rapid-response units are stationed at strategic points will deter criminals and boost public confidence. Joint operations involving the police, military, and civil defense Corps are also advocated.
Lastly there is the argument about the lack of swift justice which often emboldens criminals. “Security agencies must ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are apprehended, thoroughly investigated, and prosecuted without delay”.
