From Tony Osauzo, Benin
One person has been reportedly killed and eight vehicles set ablaze, following attack on Imariogha Community, near Okomu Oil Palm plantation in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State by a militant group that identified itself as “Ijaw Freedom Fighters”.
Recall that gunmen had penultimate week reportedly killed three staff of Okomu Okomu Oil Palm Company.
The latest incident happened Sunday night as the attackers invaded the community housing the former African Timber and Plywood (AT&P) in the local government.
An eye witness told journalists in Benin City that the invaders entered the community from the riverside at midnight, shooting sporadically into the air and setting fire to about eight private vehicles and destroying many houses.
One of the community leaders, Mr. Rex Akpokiniovo, while confirming the attack, said one person was killed and Chief of the community, Pa Gabriel Okorugbe, who sustained injuries from the attack, has been hospitalised.
“The corpse of the dead person has been taken away by the police.
“My house was attacked and my car burnt down by the gunmen who came into the community at midnight and started shooting sporadically into the air.
“One of the Okomu workers, who resides in the community, was killed while the invaders left a warning note on his chest”, Mr. Akpokiniovo said.
In the note addressed to Governor Godwin Obaseki, the attackers made several demands from management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc to include directorship position in the company and 25 percent of the company’s shares.
“We are not fighting any security personnel but Okomu oil company”, the group said.
Confirming the attack, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Funsho Adegboye, said “We are aware of the incident and have visited the community.
“We are already holding talks in partnership with sister security organisations and Okomu oil palm company to arrest the situation”, Adegboye added.