The Edo State Police Command has confirmed that the death toll from the violent clash between cocoa farmers and suspected produce thieves in Gbelemotin, Ovia South-West Local Government Area, has increased to seven.
In a statement released on Sunday, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, revealed that six individuals who sustained injuries during the conflict are currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
According to eyewitness accounts, the unrest began late Thursday and intensified on Friday morning when supporters of the initial victims retaliated, escalating the violence.
The police have assured residents that efforts are underway to restore peace in the affected community.
A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the crisis started when an Ikale cocoa farmer engaged vigilantes to guard his farm, which had been frequently raided by suspected Izon youths.
The vigilantes allegedly killed four of the suspects during their patrol.
The killings sparked reprisal attacks on Friday morning, as suspected Izon youths retaliated.
The source said, “There was fighting in my area on Friday, and many are feared dead. Vigilantes hired by an Ikale man, Igbala, killed four Izon boys two nights ago.
“The boys were allegedly stealing cocoa from the farm. The retaliatory attack resulted in more casualties, with some houses set ablaze. The exact number of those killed remains unknown.
“Soldiers and other security personnel arrived on Friday and recovered some bodies, but many corpses are still in the bushes. The stolen cocoa belonged to Yoruba farmers in Madotti Camp, who may have also suffered collateral losses.”
On Saturday, Yamu had initially confirmed five deaths and four injuries, stating that security forces had restored order in the affected communities.
However, in a fresh statement on Sunday, he updated the casualty figures, saying, “On February 21, 2025, at about 10:00hrs, the command received a distress call about an ongoing clash between the Gbelemotin and Madotti communities in Ovia South-West LGA.
“Operatives from the Iguobazuwa Police Division, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and vigilantes, were promptly deployed to the area.
“The team evacuated some casualties to the hospital, where seven persons were confirmed dead, while six others are currently receiving treatment. The joint operation is ongoing, and the situation has been brought under control.
“Meanwhile, an investigation into the cause of the clash has commenced.”
Yamu added that the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, had vowed to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident, urging residents to channel grievances through appropriate authorities rather than resorting to violence.
