FIVE DEAD, FOUR WOUNDED IN CLASH AT EDO COCOA FARM

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The Edo Police Command on Saturday confirmed that a violent clash in Gbelemotin, an agrarian community in Ovia South-West Local Area of Edo State, resulted in five deaths and four injuries.

The conflict, which began on Thursday night, intensified on Friday morning when sympathizers of those affected in the initial altercation retaliated.

The confrontation involved local cocoa farmers and suspected produce thieves, reportedly identified as Izon boys.

According to an anonymous local source, the crisis was triggered when an Ikale cocoa farmer hired vigilantes to protect his farm from frequent poaching by suspected Izon boys. While on duty, the vigilantes allegedly killed four of the intruders.

In response, a group of Izon boys launched a counterattack on Friday morning, seeking revenge for the deaths of their members.

The source added, “There was fighting on Friday in my zone, many are feared killed. Vigilantes employed by an Ikale man, Igbala, killed four Izon boys two nights ago.

“The boys were allegedly stealing produce belonging to the produce farmer. The boys are from Kolombor (Gbelemotin).

“Yesterday (Friday morning, there was a counterattack and some people were killed and houses burnt. 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 the Yoruba farmers in the area, at Madotti Camp. The Yorubas must have suffered some collateral losses,” the source volunteered.

When contacted, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, said that five persons were confirmed dead while four others were injured in the clash.

In a message, the Edo PPRO said, “Five persons were confirmed dead while four others were injured in a clash between the Gbelemoti community and the Maidoti community.

“Joint operation with the Army, vigilantes, and other agencies is ongoing as the situation has been brought under control.

“Investigation into the cause of the clash has equally commenced.”