Hameed Braimah 

The peaceful Ukhun community in Esan West, Local Government Area of Edo state under Saturday morning came under attack by suspected Fulani cattle herders.

The suspected herders were said to have attacked some of the indigenous people who are predominantly farmers on the way to their farms. The herders it was reported made attempts to kidnap them on their way to their respective farms, but the farmers managed to escape through divine intervention. 

Other farmers apparently oblivious of the activities of the maraunding herders while working in their farms came under attack as the terrorists opened fire on them, killing one of the farmers named Mr Daniel in the process.

Incidences of kidnapping and killing have become rife in the agrarian community necessitating calls on security agencies and government to rid our forests of unauthorized occupants.

According to residents of Ukhun, this is one incident too many that have occurred in the community in the last two years.

They said that just last month, February 2025 to be precised, one Mallam Bello Obadan was macheted and kidnapped on his way to the farm

 H was said to have suffered severe and deep cuts on his nose and other parts of of his body leading to loss of strength before collapsing while the assistants were taking him to their camp.

Leaving him for dead, the villagers reported, the felons abandoned him to his fate. However, Mallam Bello was miraculously rescued from this cruel situation. He spent fortunes  in the hospital after being in admission for three months.

The Onojie of Ukhun kingdom; Zaiki Thomas Aboiralor Omoigiade is using this medium to appeal to the State Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Commissioner of Police Mrs Betty Nekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, Director DSS, Mr Bello Bakori, Director of Edo state Security Network, CP Friday Ibadin (Rtd) and the Divisional Police Officer, Ekpoma to come to their rescue.

“Ukhun is in dire need of government intervention and assistance to protect their lives and property”, Chief Omoigiade said.

Meanwhile, the Divisional Police officer, Ekpoma Mr. Solomon Ekeweye has reportedly visited the crime scene with his men to boost the confidence of villagers many of whom had reportedly fled to Ekpoma town for safety.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer Moses Joel Yamu CSP, confirm the incident stating that the command was doing everything possible to track down the assailants in the broader efforts to rid the State of crimes and criminalities.