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Gunmen attack Edo farming communities kill dozens, destroy properties
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A brutal assault on seven farming settlements in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State has left a trail of death and destruction, with reports indicating at least 23 fatalities and numerous injuries. The harrowing incident, which occurred on Friday, February 21st, has displaced hundreds and plunged the once-thriving agrarian communities into chaos.
The targeted settlements—Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe Community, Bala Dele Community, and Thousand Community—were home to a diverse population of farmers from Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Benin ethnic backgrounds. Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of armed assailants, suspected to be Ijaw militants, unleashing indiscriminate violence, setting homes ablaze, and destroying property.
While police reports confirm seven deaths and six injuries, residents claim the toll is significantly higher, with some reporting as many as 15 fatalities in individual communities. The attack, believed to be a reprisal for the killing of a suspected cocoa thief by local vigilantes, has exacerbated existing tensions between farmers and alleged militants accused of land encroachment and theft.
The devastation is palpable. Homes lie in ruins, and displaced residents, carrying meager belongings, have fled in fear. Igbala Obazuaye, head of Marindoti community, recounted years of extortion and violence, highlighting the breakdown of law and order. Other survivors, like Nafisat Abdulazeez, detailed the sheer terror of the attack, pleading for urgent government intervention.
Despite the police’s assertion of a “communal clash,” residents insist the attack was an unprovoked act of terror aimed at extorting and intimidating peaceful farmers. They have called for increased security presence, including a permanent army base, and assistance in rebuilding their shattered lives.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, has vowed a thorough investigation, while the deployment of troops from the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has brought a semblance of calm. However, the deep scars of this tragedy and the urgent need for lasting security and support remain.
The spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, was left stunned after two suspected drug dealers requested to take a photograph with him shortly after they were arrested and interrogated.
The suspects, identified as Omini Ezeri, 46, and Chinedum Wagbara, 42, were apprehended during a stop-and-search operation while travelling in a Mercedes-Benz ML SUV with registration number AAA 604 JZ along the Agbarho-Warri Road.
A search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, a substance suspected to be cocaine, and a dagger. The suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations continue.
As part of the investigation, Edafe interrogated the suspects. Shortly after the interview, the duo surprised the police spokesperson by asking to take a photograph with him.
In a follow-up post shared on social media, Edafe said he had never encountered such behaviour before, explaining that the suspects appeared to become excited once they realised he intended to interview them.
He added that despite being arrested with cocaine and two pistols, which they claimed were used for their drug business, they still requested to take a picture with him after the interrogation.
The Catholic Diocese of Otukpo in Benue State has confirmed the safe return of its seminarian, Kelvin Ochai, who was abducted by gunmen at Asa III in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Itodo, on Saturday.
Itodo attributed the seminarian’s safe return to divine intervention and the prayers of Christians and well-wishers.
According to the diocese, the seminarian escaped from the custody of his abductors and made his way to Aliade in Gwer East Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, where he was reunited with his family unharmed.
“Through the prayers of the people of God, Kelvin escaped from the custody of his abductors on the evening of Friday, 31st July, 2026, and made his way to Aliade, Gwer East LGA of Benue State. He has since been safely reunited with his family and is unharmed,” the statement read in part.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, expressed profound gratitude to priests, religious, lay faithful, and people of goodwill for their unwavering support and prayers during the period of the seminarian’s captivity.
The headquarters of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, located in Abuja has been gutted by fire.
The fire was said to have started from the fourth floor of the building.
Speaking to DAILY POST, a personnel of Zenith Bank domiciled in the Mortgage Bank building, Anthony Ameh, said the fire is so intense.
According to him, operatives of the Federal Fire Service, who came to contain the fire have not been able to arrest the situation.
“The fire is so intense. About four trucks of Fire Service are here but they are unable to quench it,” he said.
At the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire incident cannot be ascertained.
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