1 killed, houses razed as Ijaw freedom fighters attack Edo community

A criminal group identified as “Ijaw Freedom Fighters”, has attacked Imariogha community, near Okomu Oil Palm Plantation, setting ablaze over eight vehicles, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Investigation shows that the bandits stormed the community, formerly known as AT&P, in Ovia South West local government area.

Commissioner of Police in Edo, Mr Funsho Adegboye, confirmed the attack to NAN in a telephone interview in Benin, ”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,” he said.

Meanwhile, an eye witness told NAN that the invaders entered the community from the Riverside on Sunday midnight shooting sporadically into the air and setting fire to about eight private vehicles and destruction of many houses.

One of the community leaders, Mr Rex Akpokiniovo, told NAN that while one person was killed, a Chief of the community, Pa Gabriel Okorugbe, who sustained injuries from the attack 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”.

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