By A fierce clash between cocoa farmers and some suspected thieves at Gbelemotin town, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, has claimed no fewer than five lives and four others injured.
Sources said that the crisis started when an Ikale cocoa farmer hired some vigilantes to guard his cocoa farm which had been under heavy poaching by some suspected Izon (Ijaw) boys.
The vigilantes were alleged to have killed four of the Izon boys who allegedly came to poach while on duty.
It was gathered that some Izon boys launched a reprisal early Friday morning on the vigilantes to revenge the killing of their colleagues.
The source told PUNCH: “There was fighting on Friday in my zone. Many were feared killed.
“Vigilantes employed by an Ikale man killed four Izon boys on Thursday.
“The boys were allegedly stealing produce belonging to the produce farmer. The boys are from Kolombor (Gbelemotin).
“There was a counter-attack and some people were killed and houses burnt on Friday. The number of casualties on the other side is unknown.
“Soldiers and other security officers were there later on Friday. They moved some bodies but there are still many bodies in the bushes.
“The cocoa these boys were stealing belong to Yoruba farmers in the area at Madotti Camp. The Yoruba must have suffered some collateral losses.”
Confirming the horrible incident in a statement on Saturday, Edo State Police Command Spokesman, Moses Yamu, said that five persons were killed while four others were injured in the clash.
He said: “Five persons were confirmed dead while four others were injured in a clash between Gbelemoti community and Maidoti community.
There was a counter-attack and some people were killed and houses burnt on Friday. The number of casualties on the other side is unknown.
“Soldiers and other security officers were there later on Friday. They moved some bodies but there are still many bodies in the bushes.
“The cocoa these boys were stealing belong to Yoruba farmers in the area at Madotti Camp. The Yoruba must have suffered some collateral loses.
“Joint operation with the Army, vigilantes, and other agencies is ongoing as the situation has been brought under control.”
Stonix News reports that cocoa and cashew nuts farmers have been having it good since the beginning of this administration as they smile to the bank due to high yield and good sales.
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