Seven people have died and six others were injured in reprisal attacks following a violent confrontation between cocoa farmers and suspected thieves in the Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The violence, which began last Thursday at Madotti farm camp, intensified over the weekend, with armed men attacking seven farm settlements. While police confirmed seven deaths as of Sunday night, local residents suggest the toll may be higher.
The affected communities, comprised of farmers from Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Benin ethnic backgrounds, include Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe Community, Bala Dele Community, and Thousand Community.
Edo State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday. He reported that some casualties were taken to the hospital, where seven were pronounced dead and six others are currently receiving treatment.
The police statement reads: “On 21/02/2025 at about 1000hrs, the Command received a distress call of an ongoing clash between Gbelemonti and Maidoti Communities of Ovia North East LGA. Operatives of the Iguobazuwa Police Division, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the vigilantes, were promptly deployed to the area. The team evacuated some casualties to the hospital where seven (7) persons were confirmed dead while six (6) injured ones are currently receiving treatment.”
Yamu stated that the joint operation is ongoing, the situation is now under control, and normalcy has been restored. An investigation into the cause of the clash has begun.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, psc, mnips has vowed that no stone would be left unturned in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate and avoidable incident and warned members of the public to always channel their grievances to the appropriate authority, rather than taking laws into their hands,” Yamu said.
Seven Killed in Edo Farm Clashes
