28th March, 2023
By Jethro Ibileke
Gun-wielding hoodlums suspected to be herdsmen have again invaded Sobe Community, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, killing one person said to be a driver in the process.
Several other members of the community also sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries in the attack said to have occurred Monday night.
It was gathered that the herdsmen invaded the house of the victim, simply identified as Osesa, in the evening and opened fire on him and everyone in sight.
According to a source in the community who wished to remain anonymous, the attackers also abducted some residents in other part of the town.
“The herdsmen later left Osesa’s resident and moved closer to St Thomas Moore Primary School where they also kidnapped some persons.
“The rate of killing by the Fulani herdsmen in Sobe community in Owan West Local Government has become too many,” he said
Another source disclosed that the people approached a police checkpoint close to the scene of the attack but they did not do offer any help.
According to the source, “When the attack happened, most people in the community went to the mobile police at a nearby check point and they refused to help.
“Even the new police divisional headquarters created in the community, housing more than 30 policemen have no impact because they have done nothing to halt the attacks on the community.
“We call on Governor Godwin Obaseki as the chief security officer of the state, to liease with the Federal Government so that a mini barracks can be created in the community before the community turns into a grave yard,” the resident added.
Our correspondent reports that the latest attack is the seventh on the community. No fewer than five persons were killed in the last three attacks. A boy was also kidnapped the last time the hoodlums struck.
When contacted, the Edo State Police Command’s spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the Command was not aware of the attack.