Barely a week after the killing of 25 farmers in Edo State by suspected militants and herdsmen, two more farmers were again reportedly killed in the state.
DAILY POST reports that the two farmers were killed by suspected herdsmen at Eware and Iyoba villages in the Anwain clan, ward 8, in Etsako West Local Government Area.
The victims are identified as Mr Lucky Salami and Mr Julius Arewa while several others sustained various degrees of injuries and are hospitalized in undisclosed hospitals.
A statement by Rasaq Isenalumhe, President, Anwain Progress Union said the two farmers were killed between February 13, 2025 and February 27, 2025 respectively.
Isenalumhe’s statement was titled, “brutal killing of two persons and maiming of one in Anwain clan, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State by Fulani Herdsmen: A call for intervention”.
According to him, on February 13, 2025, they brutality killed one person and maimed another in their farms at Iyoba village in the Anwain clan and today the February 27, 2025 they have brutally killed another in his farm at Eware village in the Anwain clan.
“The last two weeks have been very challenging for the people of the Anwain clan in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State as a result of the murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen in the clan.
“Anwain clan is in ward 8 in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. The access road to the clan is the Agbede-Anwain Road which runs through Agbede town. The clan has one of the largest forest reserves in Edo North.
“In the last two weeks, herdsmen have invaded the clan. They have not only destroyed crops but have engaged in killing and maiming the inhabitants”, he said.
He explained that when the first incident happened, he wrote as the President of the union to alert the Governor of the state, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the commissioner of police and the DSS.
The legal practitioner who said, he warned in the letter that the situation may degenerate if no prompt action was taken, added that the situation has indeed “now degenerated.
“Since my letter to the Governor of Edo State and the security agencies, two persons have been killed by them and another kidnapped.
“The person kidnapped only regained freedom after two weeks in their captivity.
“As a result of the aforesaid activities of the Fulani Herdsmen, our people have abandoned their farms for fear of being killed”, he added.
He, however, called on the Edo State Government, the police, the DSS and other security agencies to intervene.
Also the impeached chairman of the council, Marvelous Muhizu Zibiri, described the incidents as barbaric and unacceptable acts.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Iyamah Nurudeen, said the kidnapping has undermined the peace and security of the locality.
“I expressed deep sorrow and strong condemnation of the tragic event that led to the killing of Mr. Lucky Salami and Mr. Julius Arewa included other fatalities recorded in Eware Village, Ward 8 Anwain, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
“This dastardly and heinous act has not only claimed the innocent lives of three individuals but has also left other injured victims hospitalized, thereby instilling fear and unrest in the peaceful community of Eware and its environs”, he stated.
He vowed that the local government would not tolerate any form of violence or lawlessness that threatens the lives and livelihoods of the people.
The Chairman, who appealed to residents of the community and the entire Local Government Area to remain calm and law-abiding, also urged the community leaders and stakeholders to collaborate with security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits.
While commiserating with the families of the deceased, he, however, called on the Edo State Government and relevant security agencies to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators of the evil act are brought to justice.
He also advocated the need for increased security presence in rural communities to prevent further occurrences of such violence and to protect farmers who are the backbone of the local economy.
DAILY POST recalls that 22 persons were killed by suspected Ijaw militants who allegedly invaded seven farmers communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Several others sustained various degrees of injuries while buildings and farm produce worth several millions of naira were set ablaze by the assailants.
The incident was said to have happened on Friday, February 21, 2025.
The affected communities includ Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe Community, Bala Dele Community, and Thousand Community.
DAILY POST also reported, that two farmers identified as Philip Batemue and Christopher Bello were on February 24, 2025 reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in Okpekpe community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State in their farm.
Also, Victor Ogendegbe, the Coordinator/Chairman of Vigilante in Erah, Owan East Local Government Area, Edo State was on the same day of February 24, 2025 reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herders.
The deceased said to be on bike, was returning home from the farm when he was ambushed by his killers who had allegedly laid siege in the community.
The killers were said to have used cutlass on him, cut his neck, confirmed him dead, and abandoned him in the pool of his blood.