From Tony Osauzo, Benin
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.
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.