Izon youths deny role in Edo migrant farming attacks

The people of the Gbolomotin community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State have absolved themselves of responsibility for the killings of migrant farmers in their farm cluster.

Recall that several persons were killed in the agrarian communities following a clash between the migrant farmers and the people of Gbolomotin.

The community, in a statement by one Karaem Ebimobobowei, which was made available to journalists in Benin, said they were not the aggressors, as portrayed by the migrant cocoa farmers.

“Many years ago, the migrant farmers encroached on our lands to plant cocoa and, as a way of settlement, agreed to pay a token to us for planting their cash crops,” Ebimobobowei said.

He alleged that, over time, the cocoa farmers formed the habit of attacking their youths through a vigilante group they set up, claiming that they had the backing of people in the government.

He further alleged that the Yoruba farmers began expanding beyond the original areas they were allowed to cultivate, thereby encroaching on the uncultivated lands reserved for Ijaw communities.

According to him, tension grew in the area when the Yoruba farmers started accusing the Ijaw farmers of stealing their cocoa—an allegation he said was unfounded.

He said, “They went further to prevent indigenes of Gbolomotin from passing through the roads and footpaths leading to other Ijaw communities and allegedly labeled all Ijaw people as thieves.”

On the recent killings, Ebimobobowei explained that some Ijaw youths went to rescue their people when they heard they were under attack. However, in the process, they were also ambushed by the cocoa farmers and their vigilante group.

“It is necessary to point out that this same Igbala is fond of using his powers as a vigilante to harass both women and youths as they move daily on the earth’s roads,” he said.

He, however, called on the state government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, insisting that they are not the aggressors.