A dauntingly devastating incident happened last week Thursday at about 3:00pm in a farm located in Kolombo community, an Ijaw territory in Edo State resulting in the tragic loss of precious lives in their prime from the two warring groups.
Circumstances surrounding the whole incident according to an eyewitness who pleaded to be anonymous, stated that, the Yoruba vigilante groups had been patrolling the farm settlements due to concerns about rising crime rates, especially in the farms. These Vigilante groups led by one Mr. Igbala Obajuaye (an Ikale man from Irele) were contracted to secure farms owned by some Yorubas in Kolombo territory. These Yoruba farmers were said to have been paying rent for the farmland. The Ijaws were also engaged in farming especially, oil palm and cassava, in the same area.
According to the same account, on that black Thursday 12 unarmed Ijaw farmers were attacked by the Yoruba Vigilante group with lethal weapons while returning from their farm at about 3:00pm on Thursday, and 4 persons were killed instantly, and 6 had serious injuries. 8 narrowly escaped death out of which, 6 with serious injuries living the 4 dead bodies in the forest. This action infuriated the Kolombo people and a team of 9 was sent to recover the 4 dead bodies in the forest the following Friday morning at about 9am. Unfortunately for them, the Yoruba Vigilante groups ambushed them. In the process, houses were burnt in the forest. However, the team of Ijaw men sent to recover the 4 dead bodies were only able to recover 2 bodies. As at the time of filling this report, 2 dead bodies are still with the Yoruba Vigilante groups.
Reports also had it that, the Vigilante group has been causing mayhem in the region. The Ijaw groups alleged that, one of their men was killed by the vigilante group last year. About that same period, an Urhobo man was guned down from a palm tree by this same Vilgilante group.
Preliminary reports according to the same account suggest that the vigilante group may have acted without provocation, and that, their targets were the Ijaws. For instance the Urhoboman killed last year was mistaken for an Ijawman gave credence to the fact that, the Vigilante groups were ready for battle.
The law abiding Kolombo community is in shock and the ugly incident has sent shockwaves through the Kolombo community and its environs, with many residents expressing outrage and sadness. The families of the victims have been left to mourn the loss of their loved ones.
The Kolombo community is calling on the government to wade into the matter and ensure justice prevails.
Mainwhile, the community leaders have called on the people to remain calm while the law enforcement agencies recover their 2 dead bodies with the Yoruba Vigilante groups.
All efforts by our correspondent to get information from the Yoruba Vigilante groups proved abortive.
To get a balance and objectivity information on the said issue, efforts are still on to reach out to the Yoruba Vigilante groups to get the side of their account.
© Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters
