Five Killed, Four Injured As Farmers, Cocoa Thieves Clash In Edo

No fewer than five persons have been killed, while four others sustained degrees of injuries during a clash between cocoa farmers and some suspected thieves in Gbelemotin town, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.

A source from the affected community, who refused to disclose his identity told PUNCH that the crisis started when an Ikale cocoa farmer hired some vigilantes to guard his cocoa farm which had been under heavy poaching by some suspected Izon boys.

The vigilantes were alleged to have killed four of the Izon boys while on duty.

He added that some Izon boys launched a reprisal early Friday morning on the vigilantes to revenge the killing of their colleagues.

The source said: “There was fighting on Friday in my zone. Many were feared killed. Vigilantes employed by an Ikale man killed four Izon boys on Thursday.

“The boys were allegedly stealing produce belonging to the produce farmer. The boys are from Kolombor (Gbelemotin).

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“There was a counter-attack and some people were killed and houses burnt on Friday. The number of casualties on the other side is unknown.

“Soldiers and other security officers were there later on Friday. They moved some bodies but there are still many bodies in the bushes.

“The cocoa these boys were stealing belong to Yoruba farmers in the area at Madotti Camp. The Yoruba must have suffered some collateral loses.”

Confirming the horrible incident in a statement on Saturday, Edo State Police Command Spokesman, Moses Yamu, said that five persons were killed while four others were injured in the clash.

He said: “Five persons were confirmed dead while four others were injured in a clash between Gbelemoti community and maidoti community.

There was a counter-attack and some people were killed and houses burnt on Friday. The number of casualties on the other side is unknown.

“Soldiers and other security officers were there later on Friday. They moved some bodies but there are still many bodies in the bushes.

“The cocoa these boys were stealing belong to Yoruba farmers in the area at Madotti Camp. The Yoruba must have suffered some collateral loses.

“Joint operation with the Army, vigilantes, and other agencies is ongoing as the situation has been brought under control.”