How Unknown Gunmen Killed 6, Injured 4 Others in Edo Community

In a horrifying incident, gunmen descended upon the peaceful Okhunmwun Community in the Ovia North-East local government area of Edo State, leaving a trail of death and destruction. At least six individuals lost their lives, and four others sustained injuries during the attack, which took place last Thursday.

Among the victims were three dedicated members of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN), who had been serving the community tirelessly. They were identified as Endurance Ehioretin, Victor Uwaifo, and D.D., all of whom bravely faced the assailants but tragically did not survive the encounter. Additionally, two innocent members of the community, Osas Orobor and Sada Haruna, along with Wada Hilia, commercial motorcycle riders, fell victim to the ruthless attack.

Reports from the scene reveal a harrowing story of terror. The assailants, armed with heavy weaponry, infiltrated the community and set up an ambush along Okhunmwun Road by Uhogua Junction, where they mercilessly gunned down five of their targets. In a shocking twist of fate, the ESSN Head of Tactical Team, Mr. Osarenren, also known as General Small Baba, who happened to reside in the community, became caught in the crossfire as he passed by in a Toyota Sienna with some of his operatives. General Small Baba suffered gunshot wounds but managed to escape, while three of his dedicated team members tragically lost their lives.

The attackers, undeterred by the chaos they had sown, proceeded to the residence of Osas Orobor, a recently trained ESSN member, and ruthlessly shot him dead. Following Orobor’s murder, the assailants unleashed a hail of gunfire, forcing terrified residents to flee for safety, plunging the area into darkness and despair by 8 p.m. on that fateful Thursday evening. Many homes in the vicinity of the attack were deserted when our correspondent visited the community.

Efforts to reach the acting village head (Odionwere) of Okhunmwun Community, Pa. Monday Oviahon, proved unsuccessful. However, Mr. Aigbedion Ifa, the former Vice Chairman of the Okhunmwun Community, expressed his shock at the brutal attack. He had left the area for Benin City when he received word from the Youth Leader, Mr. Louis Ulamen, about the assault. Aigbedion Ifa promptly alerted soldiers, who accompanied him to the crime scene. There, they discovered General Small Baba’s vehicle and swiftly arranged for medical attention, but tragically, five lives were already lost and placed in the mortuary. Among the deceased was Mr. Aigbedion’s own brother, Osas Orobor.

When contacted, Mr. Louis Ulamen, the community’s youth leader, declined to comment on the aggression unleashed upon his community, promising to address the incident at a later date.

Confirming the gruesome killings, the Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, revealed that Charles Aghedo, a prison escapee, allegedly led the assault due to a leadership dispute within the community. The police swiftly responded to the report filed by the Okaighele of Okhunmwun Community, Louis Ulamen. Six fatalities were evacuated from the scene, and authorities recovered a single-barrel gun, live ammunition, 62 expended cartridges, one Toyota Sienna (registration number BEN 973 TY), and a minibus marked RRU-431 ZE.

As the investigation unfolds, the Edo State Police Command is making significant strides in bringing those responsible for this heinous act to justice.