9th March, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
A middle-aged man identified as Danjuma Emokpaire, was on Friday killed at his farm by unknown gunmen in Edo State, South-South Nigeria.
The incident occurred at Ubune-Ivbiaro community, in Owan-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to sources in the community, it was apparent that the deceased was attacked by his assailants while leaving the farm after the day’s work.
One of the sources who requested to remain anonymous, said they saw him going to the farm on Friday morning, saying he said he was going to the farm to plant yam seedlings.
He added that they were worried when in the early morning on Saturday he was not seen at home.
He said: “There was heavy rainfall yesterday evening to late night, so it wasn’t possible for people to know whether he returned from the farm or not.
“But this morning, he was not seen around. This prompted some people to go to his house and found it locked from the front.
“So, we had to mobilize and go to the farm to search for him. Unfortunately, we found him dead.
“What we saw around the scene of the incident indicated that he was attacked and killed while on his motorcycle. There was no sign that there was a confrontation between him and those who killed him.
“The motorbike was damaged, his cutlass and mobile phone were taken away by the murderers.”
The source added that the incident has been reported to the Afuze Divisional Police Station.
A member of the vigilante group in the community, Abdul Saliu Emokpaire, who confirmed the incident, added that the corpse had been brought home for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
When contacted, Edo State Police Command spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said he was yet to be briefed.