Gunmen kill one, injure other in Edo

A man identified as Eni has been allegedly killed by suspected gunmen while another was gravely injured at the Marioghionoba community popularly called AT&P in Okumu in Edo State on Monday.

Recently, three staff members of Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC were killed by gunmen while working on their plantation.

In the latest attack, which happened after midnight on Monday, seven vehicles (consisting of five cars and two lorries) were also burnt while different houses were destroyed.

The gunmen left an unsigned handwritten letter on the chest of the deceased asking for 25 per cent shares in Okomu Oil and also demanded to be on the board of the company.

The gunmen, who said they were of the Ijaw Freedom Fighters, a claim unconfirmed by our correspondent, noted that the land where Okumu Oil is situated belongs to them. The group also called for the creation of a local government area for the Ijaw in Edo State, while calling on the Bini to vacate the area.

The letter entitled, “To Governor Obaseki”, reads in part, “Let it be known to everybody that we are not criminals, but Ijaw Freedom Fighters in Edo State.

“All we need is freedom, local government and our rights. Oyibo (White man) and the Benin people must leave our land, if not die.

“We are not fighting any Nigerian Army personnel, but the Okomu Palm Oil Company. We need our rights. Oyibo (White man) and (the) Bini people must go. Leave our land by right, not illegal.

“Obaseki, we are not slaves,” the letter stated.

One of the community leaders, Rex Akpokiniovo, said the gunmen attacked the community after midnight, shooting sporadically into the air. They also burnt five cars, including his and two lorries.

He said, “They came into the community after midnight and started shooting sporadically into the air. They burnt five cars and two lorries. My car was among the ones burnt.

“I don’t know the problem they have with our community, but they left a handwritten note on the chest of the deceased stating their demands. They also left a poster to state their demands, which is already with the Department of State Services while the letter should also be with the police.

“The man that was killed is called Eni from Calabar and he was a tailor. I live and work here. I am a landlord here and I work closely with the elders,” he added

Funsho Adegboye, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, noted that arrangements had been put together to beef up security in the affected area.

He said: “We have beefed up security arrangements in the area, working with other stakeholders and the community involved. The operation is being led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. We have the Mobile Policemen on the ground and I can assure you that there won’t be a repeat of this ugly incident in the area again.”