By Tony Osauzo
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has visited the families
of two women, who were raped and killed by herdsmen in Ewu, Esan Central Local
Government Area.
He described activities of the herdsmen as threat to
national security.
According to him, the suspected herdsmen raping and killing
women in the state are terrorists, who fled from the North-East. The deceased,
two elderly women, identified as Mrs Christiana Ariu from Eko-Ojeme quarters
and Mrs Matina Emonyon from Uzogolo quarters, both in Ewu community, were, last
week, raped and killed in their various farms by suspected herdsmen.
Traditional ruler of Ekperi, Deke Kanoba, the Ijiegbai of
Ekperi, had, in March this year, raised the alarm that his subjects
may not go to farm this farming season over presence of suspected runaway Boko
Haram members at a forest in his locality.
Regardless, Obaseki assured the people his
administration would deal with the menace within the next few weeks as he has
ordered security to be beefed up in the area from the boundaries of Kogi State.
“These are not just herdsmen, they are Boko Haram terrorists
but we are working hard to put an end to this.
“In a matter of weeks, we are coming out with certain
measures to stop these attacks. We will rely on timely accurate information
from all communities. I am going to see the Inspector General of Police on this
matter.
“Don’t be scared of going to your farms. We have stepped up
security in this area, from Kogi State,” he said, even as he promised to
ensure autopsy are conducted on the corpses of the two women.
The governor also visited Ehimen Abuya, one of the villagers
at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, who was allegedly shot at by
soldiers during a protest against the killing of the two women.
The victim, whose leg would soon be amputated, told the
governor they were on a peaceful protest against the herdsmen attack when they
were shot at by soldiers.
Obaseki promised to pay the medical bills, provide artificial lower limb and give adequate assistance to integrate him back to the society.
Obaseki promised to pay the medical bills, provide artificial lower limb and give adequate assistance to integrate him back to the society.
The community spokesman, Sydney Ikhajiagba, said members of
the community are now living in fear and that the women are scared of going to
the farm.
