Sunday, June 9, 2024 -Three soldiers sustained injuries when suspected criminals in Okomu, Ijaw Community, in Ovia South West Local Government Area were attacked on Friday.
The state Commissioner for Communication and
Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, disclosed this on Sunday when he led journalists
to the military hospital in Benin where the soldiers were recuperating.
Recent attacks in the area have led to the
death of three staff of Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC, one resident, and the
burning down of houses and several vehicles.
A group that identified itself as Ijaw
Freedom Fighters claimed the attack and said the Ijaw are being marginalized in
the state.
The state reacted swiftly and sent security
operatives, including men of the police and soldiers to repel and halt further
attacks on the area.
However, after Friday’s attack which left
three soldiers wounded, Nehikhare said the state government would flush out
criminal elements in the state including cultists and Okaighele (youth
leaders).
While promising that the government would
foot the bills of the wounded military officers, Nehikhare, said that the
attack on soldiers by civilians in the Okomu community was not unconnected with
the nefarious activities of cultists.
Nehikhare, who said Governor Godwin Obaseki
frowned at the attack on military personnel, said a task force led by the
Director of the State Security had been set up by the government to combat cult
groups in the state.
He said, “It is not right in any way for the
military to be attacked in any community in Edo State. A few weeks ago, we were
all aware of what happened in our neighboring Delta State, where over 20
soldiers were killed by some youths.
“In Edo State, we have a bad case of cultism
and what we also call Okaigheles in Benin and across Edo South Senatorial
District. The data available to us provided to the State Security Council have
said that these are the people that are mostly responsible for criminal
activities and threats to the security in the state.
“That is why this group of people was
banned, and a task force was set up to look into their activities to neutralize
whatever evil plans they have. As the governor placed a ban on the Okaigheles
(youth leaders), we discovered that some people also went ahead and said they
should ignore the government ban.
“There’s only one government at a time, and
that emboldened these people to go into Okomu forest in our community to attack
our soldiers, protecting our assets. One of the soldiers is on the bed in
critical condition. Three officers, an officer, and two soldiers were badly
injured.”
He continued, “The gunboat they (the
soldiers) were in was destroyed and riddled with bullets. This should not
happen in Edo State. We don’t want a situation where we will be losing soldiers
to reckless attacks from cult groups.
“We don’t want what happened in Odi Community in Bayelsa State to happen here in Edo or a repeat of what happened recently in Delta. It is a serious matter, and all Edo people, irrespective of political affiliations, must support the government in this fight against cultism and killings going on. Since January till date, we have lost 150 people in cult-related violence,” Nehikhare stated.
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