Herdsmen attack Edo community, kill five, injure many

Armed herdsmen have reportedly attacked the community of Odiguetue in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, killing five people and injuring several others in the process.

The herdsmen had about a month ago, attacked security personnel in the locality and burnt down a patrol van.

They were said to have returned on Thursday morning and attacked the community whose members have been resisting the herders from feeding their cows with their farm produce.

“For some time now, the herdsmen have been harassing us. You can’t go to the farm anymore because of them. Last week, around 7pm, they came close to the houses, shooting but when the people came out, they went back to the bush.

“Then on Thursday, people were in their farms when the herdsmen came and killed three people. That was in the morning. Later in the evening, they came again and killed two more but this time on the expressway. There is a police checkpoint on the highway. The police saw them but didn’t do anything.

“Anytime the herdsmen come, we usually call the police and soldiers, who will come but will not go into the bush where these herdsmen have their camps; even when the villagers volunteer to lead the security men.

“Odiguetue is a peaceful community. How can you do this to a people who are peaceful and who go about their normal businesses?” a community leader, Lt. Commander Anthony Ogie, lamented while narrating the incident.