Alleged Edo Land Dispute Sparks Cult Reprisal, Leaving ESSC Operative, Two Others Dead

by Idahosa Musa

A land dispute has reportedly triggered a bloody confrontation between suspected cultists and operatives of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), leaving three persons dead in separate incidents in Ewatto, Esan South-East and Atoruru, Owan West Local Government Areas of Edo State.

Those killed in the incidents were identified as an ESSC operative, Martins Enahoro; a suspected cultist, Gbozia; and an unidentified youth, while several others sustained injuries and 15 suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the separate incidents.

Sources told our Correspondent that the incident involving Enahoro and Gbozia allegedly began with a land dispute, following which security operatives were invited to intervene and restore peace between the contending parties.

According to the sources, the intervention reportedly degenerated into a confrontation between an ESSC operative and one of the suspected cultists. In the ensuing struggle, Enahoro allegedly used a knife to stab Gbozia, who was subsequently confirmed dead by a doctor.

The development was said to have triggered a reprisal by suspected cultists, who allegedly mobilised their members and invaded the ESSC office in the area. The attackers reportedly opened fire on the security operatives, killing Enahoro and leaving others injured.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, SP Ikoedem Eno, who confirmed the incidents, said preliminary investigations showed that Enahoro was attacked by suspected members of the Aro Berger confraternity and stabbed Gbozia while attempting to defend himself.

She said Enahoro subsequently sustained multiple cut injuries, adding that both men were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty and their remains deposited at a mortuary pending further investigation.

The police spokesperson disclosed that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the cult-related incident, with two of them allegedly confessing to belonging to the Vikings and Aiye confraternities.

In a separate incident at Atoruru, Eno said police received a report from one Ojo Gabriel over alleged assault occasioning harm and malicious damage to his property after youths attacked his residence and vehicles.

She said police detectives and ESSC personnel were immediately mobilised to the area, but the youths allegedly attacked the security team on sight, damaging the side glass of a police patrol vehicle and assaulting ESSC personnel.

According to her, three ESSC personnel — Tunde Ali, Izedu Monday and Charles Ighororo — sustained serious injuries and were receiving medical treatment, while two locally-made single-barrel guns belonging to the security personnel were taken away during the confrontation.

Eno further disclosed that three unidentified youths sustained pellet injuries during the clash, with one later dying while receiving treatment at David and Stella Hospital, Sabongida-Ora. His remains, she said, had been deposited at Heavenly Home Mortuary as efforts continued to establish his identity and locate his family.

The police command said 11 suspects had been arrested in connection with the Atoruru incident and that the two stolen guns had been recovered. It added that security had been reinforced in the affected communities with the deployment of police and military personnel, while normalcy had been restored.

The Command also announced the deployment of the Police Mobile Force, Squadron 82, as reinforcement, warning that attacks on security personnel constituted criminal offences and would not be tolerated.

It assured residents that investigations into the incidents were ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to apprehend fleeing suspects and unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.