Armed bandits who identified themselves as “Ijaw Freedom Fighters” attacked the Imariogha community on Sunday night near the Okomu oil palm plantation, setting ablaze over eight vehicles.

Investigation reveals that the bandit invaded the community, formerly known as AT&P, located in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Funsho Adegboye, confirmed the attack to journalists in a telephone interview in Benin.

” We are aware of the incident and have visited the community,” said Mr Adegboye. “We are already holding talks in partnership with sister security organisations and the Okomu oil palm company to arrest the situation.”

Meanwhile, a witness said the invaders entered the community from the riverside at midnight, shooting sporadically into the air, setting fire to about eight private vehicles and destroying many houses.

Rex Akpokiniovo, one of the community leaders, said that while one person was killed, a chief of the community, Gabriel Okorugbe, who sustained injuries from the attack, had been hospitalised.

“The corpse of the dead person has been taken away by the police.

 “My house was attacked, and my car burnt down by the gunmen who came into the community at midnight and started shooting sporadically into the air.

“One of the Okomu workers, who resides in the community, was killed while the invaders left a warning note on his chest,” he said.

According to the note addressed to Governor Godwin Obaseki, the attackers, who identified themselves as Ijaw Freedom Fighters, made several demands from the management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc.

(NAN)