Bandits ambush, kill 3 policemen in Edo

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro Benin

Tragedy struck on Saturday when bandits suspected to be herdsmen allegedly ambushed and killed three policemen at Sabongidda-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
It was gathered that the gunmen had attacked the security personnel near Avbiosi juncture at Sabongidda-Ora before setting a police patrol van on fire near a forest where the hoodlums waited for them to resume duty.
Sabongidda-Ora, is the maternal home of a former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase who is the Chairman of Edo Private Property Development Committee which replaced the outlawed Edo Community Development Associations (CDA).
It was further learnt that the sporadic gunshots were said to have forced commuters to abandon their vehicles, while some farmers who were caught in the web while on their way to their farms retreated to avoid a ricochet of the bullets.
A resident in the area who identified himself as Bishop Esau, alleged that the killings have confirmed their fears that armed militia had taken over some parts of the State.
According to him, “the area is no longer safe for habitation. If they could do that do that armed policemen, I wonder what would had been the fate of the ordinary civilian.
“It was three policemen that died in the incident. We are tired”, he said menacinglly.
Spokesman of Edo State Police Command, Mr. Chidi Nwanbuzor confirmed the report in a telephone interview with our Correspondent in Benin, but did not give details of the incident.
He said: “If you are talking about the killing of the Police, I thought to talk about that tomorrow (Monday)…”.
Our correspondent reports that the bizarre incident at Sabongidda-Ora which is one of the gateway to Edo Central Senatorial District in the State, has heightened anxiety among residents in the area.