Armed bandits, who identified themselves as “Ijaw Freedom Fighters” on Sunday night attacked Imariogha Community, near Okomu oil palm plantation, setting ablaze over eight vehicles, according to The Tide’s source.
Investigation by the source reveals that the bandits invaded the community, formerly known as AT&P, located in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr Funsho Adegboye, confirmed the attack to the source in a telephone interview in Benin.
“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”, he said.
An eye witness told the source 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 destruction of many houses.
One of the community leaders, Mr Rex Akpokiniovo, told the source that while one person was killed, a Chief of the community, Pa Gabriel Okorugbe, who sustained injuries from the attack had 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”, he said.
According to the note, addressed to Governor Godwin Obaseki, the attackers, who identified themselves as Ijaw Freedom Fighters, made several demands from management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc.
Some of the demands included directorship position in Okomuoil palm company and 25 per cent of the company’s shares.
The group said : “We are not fighting any security personnel but Okomu oil company”.