Edo Farmers, Suspected Thieves Clash: Five Dead, Investigation Underway

A violent clash between cocoa farmers and suspected produce thieves in Gbelemotin, Ovia Southwest Local Government Area of Edo State, has resulted in the deaths of five individuals. The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, a Chief Superintendent of Police, confirmed the fatalities, adding that four others sustained injuries.

According to Yamu, the conflict involved residents of Gbelemotin and Maidoti communities within the same local government area. Security forces, including the police, army, other agencies, and local vigilance members, have been deployed to the scene to restore order. Authorities have also launched an investigation to determine the root cause of the violence.

Reports indicate that the altercation began on Thursday night and escalated into Friday, leading to the destruction of several houses in both communities. The violence allegedly started when an Ikale cocoa farmer employed vigilance members to protect his farm from suspected thieves. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of five suspected Izon youths on Thursday.

The situation worsened on Friday morning when a group of Izon youths, reportedly angered by the killings, launched a counterattack. A key source in the area, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that the Izon youths were accused of stealing cocoa belonging to a Yoruba farmer in Madotti Camp. He described the incident as unfortunate but avoidable, calling on local youths to seek meaningful employment and avoid criminal activities.