Two Farmers Killed by Suspected Herders in Edo Community
By SpringsNewsNG – February 25, 2025
Two farmers, Batemue Philip Ebo and Christopher Bello, were reportedly killed on Monday by suspected herders in Okpekpe community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The incident, which occurred while the victims were on their farms, has thrown the community into mourning.
The Onwuweko of Okpekpe, His Royal Highness Peter Osigbemeh, and the embattled chairman of the LGA, Benedicta Atoh, confirmed the killings.
Speaking to PUNCH Metro, the royal father described the situation as dire but urged residents to remain calm.
“It is true that herders killed two of our kinsmen when they went to their farms. The police are in the community to find out what happened and fish out the killers,” he said.
Atoh, in a statement through her Chief Press Secretary, Benjamin Atu, condemned the killings and called on the state government to take immediate action to prevent further attacks.
“It is time to tackle this high-level insecurity by deploying the military in parts of the bush and farm areas to give farmers an immediate sense of safety,” she said.
Describing the incident as a “Black Monday” for the Okpekpe community, she urged Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to strengthen security and activate local vigilante groups to protect the people.
When contacted, the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Moses Yamu, said he would respond but had yet to do so at the time of filing this report.
