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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
One person was reportedly killed and eight vehicles set ablaze as a militant group, that identified itself as “Ijaw Freedom Fighters”, attacked the Imariogha community, near Okomu Oil Palm plantation in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Gunmen had, penultimate week, reportedly killed three staff of Okomu Okomu Oil Palm Company.
In the latest incident, the attackers were said to have invaded the community housing the former African Timber and Plywood (AT&P), on Sunday night. A witness told journalists in Benin City that the invaders entered the community from the riverside at midnight, shot sporadically into the air, set about eight private vehicles ablaze and destroyed many houses.
One of the community leaders, Mr. Rex Akpokiniovo, who confirmed the attack, said one person was killed while the Chief of the community, Pa Gabriel Okorugbe, sustained injuries from the attack and had been hospitalised.
“The body of the dead person has been taken away by the police. My house was attacked and my car burnt down by the gunmen who came into the community at midnight and started shooting sporadically into the air. One of the Okomu workers, who resides in the community, was killed while the invaders left a warning note on his chest”, Akpokiniovo said.
In the note addressed to Governor Godwin Obaseki, the attackers made several demands from management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc to include a directorship position in the company and 25 percent of the company’s shares.
“We are not fighting any security personnel, but Okomu oil company”, the group said.
Confirming the attack, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Funsho Adegboye, said: “We are aware of the incident and have visited the community. We are already holding talks in partnership with sister security organisations and Okomu oil palm company to arrest the situation”, Adegboye added.
