Report from Edo State, South-South Nigeria says, unknown gunmen have reportedly killed three persons in Okpekpe community, while seven others were matchetted in Itsukwi community by the same suspects, all in Etsako East Local Government Area of the State.
The report says, the victims were reportedly killed on Tuesday October 5, 2024 on their farmland, while others managed to escape.
The incident has reportedly heightened tension in the communities.
Reacting, the Chairman, Etsako East Local Government Council, Benedicta Attoh, frowned at what she called, “the Federal Government’s alleged ambivalent stance” amid incessant attacks which she said is costing too many lives.
“It is time to tackle this high level of insecurity by deploying military in parts of the bush and farm areas to give the farmers an immediate sense of safety in their farm lands,” she added.
The Council boss, while calling on the Federal Government to fulfil its primary purpose of securing the lives and property of every citizen, added that “Etsako East is on fire. Killing and kidnapping is taking place daily, and our youths are willing to defend themselves, their families and their land.
“Their patience has run out, so the government should do something urgently to arrest the situation.
“Nobody will fold their hands watching their family members killed in a gruesome manner daily like goats on their farmlands,” she warned.
Attoh, therefore, called on the National Assembly to legalise self-defense, saying “it should be so enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. Shall we continue to wait for government when we die daily?”, she asked.
Also reacting, the traditional ruler of Okpekpe community in North Ivie Zone, HRH Peter Osigbemeh, called on the federal and state governments to establish forest rangers to guard the forest.
He said this could be done through empowerment of the local Vigilante and hunters with necessary security gadgets to enable them take charge of their own forest and defend themselves. – ID
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