No fewer than 22 people were reportedly killed by suspected Ijaw militants who allegedly invaded seven farming communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

DAILY POST gathered that several others sustained varying degrees of injuries, while buildings and farm produce worth several million naira were set ablaze by the assailants.

The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, 21 February 2025.The affected communities include Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe, Bala Dele, and Thousand.

DAILY POST learnt that the communities were predominantly inhabited by farmers from various ethnic backgrounds, including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Benin.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that the assailants, suspected to be Ijaw militants from nearby creeks, stormed the settlements early in the morning armed with firearms and other weapons.

He said the attackers unleashed terror by shooting indiscriminately, setting houses ablaze, and destroying property, including motorcycles and vehicles.

He added that the incident had forced residents to flee the communities en masse, abandoning their homes and livelihoods.

Another source alleged that the attack was a reprisal for the killing of a suspected cocoa thief by local vigilantes employed by the farmers.

He said the incident had heightened existing tensions between the farmers and the alleged militants, who had previously been accused of encroaching on farmland and stealing produce.


https://dailypost.ng/2025/02/23/22-feared-dead-as-suspected-ijaw-militants-attack-7-farming-communities-in-edo/