The clash between cocoa farmers and suspected produce thieves the began in Madotti farm camp, in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo last Thursday has escalated and spread to seven other farm settlements in the locality.
As at Sunday night, death toll has reportedly rise, with police authorities putting the number at seven, while residents of the communities said put it at 23 men killed by gunmen who attackers seven farm settlements in the area.
The affected communities predominantly inhabited by farmers from various ethnic backgrounds, including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Benin, include Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe Community, Bala Dele Community and Thousand Community.
It was gathered that the assailants, believed to be Ijaw militants from nearby creeks, who stormed the settlements early in the morning, wielding firearms and other weapons, unleashed terror.
At the end of their deadly operation, many houses were ablaze, and other properties, including motorcycles and vehicles were destroyed.
The development forced residents to abandon their homes and livelihoods and fled for their lifes.
An eyewitness who craved anonymity, described the attacks as a reprisal for the killing of a suspected cocoa thief by local vigilantes employed by the farmers.
This incident escalated existing tensions between the farmers and the alleged militants, who had previously been accused of encroaching on farmland and stealing produce.
The Edo State Police Command spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, confirmed seven killed and six injured.
Yamu who said a preliminary investigation suggested a communal Clash, added that operatives of the Iguobazuwa Police Division, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Vigilantes, had evacuated the casualties to the hospital where the injured were currently receiving treatment.
“The joint operation is sustained as the situation has been brought under control and normalcy restored.
“However, investigation into the cause of the clash has equally commenced,” he said.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Otimenyin, has vowed that no stone would be left unturned in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate and avoidable incident,” he said.
