Evboesi – Vigilante operatives at Evboesi community in Orhionmwon local government area of Edo state narrowly escape death on Monday after suspected armed herdsmen ambushed their vehicle along the Benin-Abraka road adjacent the railway line.

The operatives numbering six were about to park their operational vehicles at their base along the road to commence daily security duties when the armed men opened fire on them.

According to one of the operative, they managed to start their vehicles and “zoomed off” unhurt, as the attackers were ready to eliminate them for being a stumbling block to their criminal activities in the area.

“As my people got there this morning (Monday), they patrolled to the railway line at Abraka side and returned back to their base after Evbuonogbon junction. As they were about to pack their vehicles, suddenly the herdsmen starting shooting at the vehicles while my men were still inside.

“They had laid ambush for us thinking they will succeed, but my people managed to escape”, an operative, Stephen Imazobi told our correspondent via a telephone chat

The side glasses, and back windscreen of one the vehicles with registration number DGE–640 NR were observed to be shattered with bullets.

A motorist, Benjamin Ebiyemi appealed to the state government to support the vigilante groups operating in the area with the necessary logistics to enable them complement the police.

The motorists who is a regular user of the Ugo-Evboesi-Abraka axis of the road told our correspondent that the presence of vigilantes on the road has boost their confidence, hence the operatives should be empowered to effectively carry out their duties.

“Government need to empower those vigilantes, because dem dey try well well. If no dem, nobody fear go let am pass that road; and na im the herdsmen dey vex for them.

“Help us let dem know because if no be dem the criminals for don pursue people comot from all this place”, Ebiyemi, also known as Ultimate appealed in pigin English

Police spokesperson in the state, Kotongs Bello said the command is unaware of the attack as they are yet to get briefs on the matter.

“I have not been briefed”, Bello told The Nigerian OBSERVER via a telephone conversation

Recall on the 9th of March, the House of Representatives passed a resolution, calling on security agents to beef up security in the area following incessant attacks by the suspected herdsmen in Ologbo-Nugu, Umoghun-Nokhua, Orogho, Urhehue, Evboesi and Evbonogbon communities, all in Orhionmwon.

“The House of Representatives calls on the NigerianArmy, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Service (DSS), and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to beef up security operations in which have been under alleged frequent invasions by armed herdsmen”, a tweet via the House’s verified twitter account read