Edo govt, security agencies wade into herders, farmers clashes

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The Edo State government in collaboration with security agencies in the State have intervened into herders’ and farmers’ clashes, which had provoked outrage.

The move was in response to a reported threat by some migrant herders to farmers on Sunday in 2nd Abumwenre Camp in Ovia North East Local Government Area of the State over the scramble for farm produce.

A joint security team, comprising the Nigeria Army and the Nigeria police on a media tour to the multi-ethnic Camp on Tuesday, assured the people of security of lives and property.

The spokesman of the Nigeria police, Edo State Command, SP. Kotongs Bello, revealed that a team of security personnel would be deployed to the area to prevent breakdown of law and order in the locality.

Kotongs spoke on behalf of the State Commissioner of police, CP. Phillip Ogbadu, represented by Assistant Commissioner of police, Ekiadolor Area Command, Badaru Wase while an Army Major Isah represented the 4-Brigade Commander at the meeting.

Briefing newsmen, CP Ogbadu said investigation into the reported sack of some residents of 2nd Abumwenre Camp by herders has started, adding that the use of fireworks by certain persons in the area might have provoked the herders in the area to come out of bushes to sound a note of caution to the farmers.

“The Commissioner of police, Phillip Ogbadu and the State governor, Godwin Obaseki and the 4-Brigade Commander after listening to the news that the residents of the community were sacked, directed his men to join us. 

“There is no house that has been burnt by Fulani herdsmen, people are still living there.”