One Dead, Many Injured as Suspected Herders Attack Edo Community 

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City 

Suspected herdsmen have attacked Ukhun community in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, killing one person and injuring many. The community was said to have come under attack early Saturday morning.

The attack, according to eyewitness accounts, occurred when some of the indigenous people who are predominantly farmers, were on the way to their farms.

The herders it was reported made attempts to kidnap the indigenes while working in their individual farms, but were resisted by the farmers some of whom managed to escape.

Others however, were not lucky apparently because they were oblivious of the activities of the marauding herders while working in their farms came under attack as they opened fire on them, killing one Mr Daniel in the process.

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, one Mallam Bello Obadan was killed in his farm.

Speaking on the latest incident, the Onojie of Ukhun kingdom;  Thomas Omoigiade sent a “Save Our Soul” message to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo; the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Betty Otimenyin; Director, Department of State Service (DSS), Mr Bello Bakori; Director of Edo state Security Network, 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”, the traditional ruler stated.

When Contacted,  the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said the Commissioner of Police had reviewed the security deployment in the area and ordered the immediate deployment of additional teams  to forestall a recurrence.