By Hamilton Nwosa (Head, The New Diplomat’s Polling, Research & Data desk)
Protesting residents of Ovia Northeast Local Government Area of Edo State on Thursday evening stormed Government House, Benin City with the body of one of the seven persons allegedly killed in the area by criminal herdsmen.
They also gave Governor Godwin Obaseki a three-day ultimatum to ensure adequate security in the area.
According to the protesters, they took the body of the victim to the Government House, because policemen in their area only told them to deposit the body in the morgue.
The protesters alleged that in the last few weeks, there had been incessant killings of innocent residents in the area by the rampaging herdsmen.
Seven persons were reportedly killed by criminal herdsmen in the farming communities of Ugboke, Oshodi, Okokodo, Ariyan and Yoruba camp in the local government.
The leader of the protesters, Michael Idahosa, said: “We are here to protest the killings by herdsmen in our communities. Governor Godwin Obaseki came to Ovia Northeast LGA in 2017 when herdsmen killed one of our persons and he promised to tackle the problem of herdsmen in our area, but Edo State government did not address the issue.”
Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, who received the protesters, gave assurance that the state government would intensify efforts at providing adequate security to check the activities of the herdsmen.
Shaibu said: “As a state, we have made up our mind not to lament, but to look for solutions on how to protect our country and our state.
“There was also an attack in the early hours of today in Niger State. It is a national problem. As we speak now, Governor Obaseki and other governors are in Abuja to discuss this insecurity issue in our country.
“You will remember that we are bringing in local vigilance members to collaborate with law enforcement agencies. We are strengthening our system and we will still need your support.
“We do not want to take laws into our own hands, but at the same time, we cannot fold our arms and watch the people kill us.
“We will categorise the area as one of the flashpoints in Edo State. So that you can sleep with your eyes closed.”
