Korede Abdullah in Lagos
A violent clash between cocoa farmers and suspected produce thieves in Gbelemotin, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, has resulted in the deaths of five people and left four others injured.
The confrontation, which occurred between Thursday and Friday, reportedly escalated when farmers clashed with individuals believed to be Izon boys attempting to steal cocoa produce.
According to the Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Moses Yamu on Saturday, security forces, including the army and vigilantes, have been deployed to restore order. “Five persons were confirmed dead while four others were injured in a clash between Gbelemotin community and Maidoti community,” Yamu stated, adding that investigations are underway.
A community member, speaking anonymously, revealed that the conflict began when an Ikale cocoa farmer, frustrated by ongoing theft, hired vigilantes to guard his farm. The vigilantes allegedly killed four suspected Izon boys caught stealing, triggering a retaliatory attack by their kinsmen on Friday.
“There was fighting on Friday in my zone, many are feared killed. A vigilante sponsored by an Ikale man, Igbala, killed four Izon boys two nights ago,” he said.
In response, the Izon boys launched an assault, resulting in more casualties and the burning of several houses. Security personnel arrived at the scene to recover bodies, but many remain unaccounted for in the surrounding bushes.
The crisis has heightened tensions between Yoruba farmers and the Izon community, as the stolen cocoa reportedly belonged to Yoruba farmers in the Madotti Camp area.
“The cocoa these boys were stealing belong to the Yoruba farmers in the area. The Yorubas must have suffered some collateral losses,” the source added. While security forces have intervened, the situation remains tense, with local authorities working to prevent further violence.
