No fewer than 20 persons including women and children have been confirmed dead in a coordinated attack by herdsmen on farmers in Okada, Ovia NotthEast local government area of Edo state, a police officer has stated.
A police spokesman, DSP. Ahmed Abdullahi who confirmed the attack said that at least 20 persons including women, children and 2 herdsmen have so far been killed in the attack on the community.
The police chief further revealed that the cause of the attack was yet to ascertained but was informed that a reprisal attack was carried out by 5 youths from the community adding that the police would ensure the boys were brought to justice.
The attack, according to local sources in the community, started on April 6, when the herdsmen in numbers stormed the community with dangerous weapons killing anyone they came in contact with.
It was learnt that the herdsmen during the attack had earlier attacked farmers in the farmland, destroying crops and killing them on sight.
The bloody attack which left 20 people dead in its wake in the community saw the herdsmen setting houses in the community ablaze and shooting at anyone attempting to escape.
It was learnt that a reprisal attack on the herdsmen was however carried out by Irate youths who lost their loved in the attack.
The reprisal attack led by Duru Joseph Emeka , attacked and killed 2 herdsmen after destroying their camps.
It is said that among those killed by the herdsmen who include Duru John, Duru Mercy, Paul Aifuwa, Jacob Ojo, Ajayi Samuel, Ebere Ayanra, Cletus Lawrence, Duru Paul, Duru Chidiebere and Francis Adeiyan whose identities have been confirmed to be relatives of the youths who led reprisal on the herdsmen.
Meanwhile, the local authorities are helping identify the remaining bodies of the dead as efforts by the police have been intensified to apprehend arrest the youths who masterminded the reprisal attack.
The police gave the names of the 5 youths who are declared wanted as Duru Joseph Emeka, Anthony Adeiyan, Osato Ojo, Osahon Lawrence and Linus Ayanra
