The Edo State Police Command has restored calm in Sobe and Ewatto communities following two separate violent security incidents that left two persons dead, several security personnel injured and 15 suspects arrested.
The incidents, which occurred on Sunday, August 23, involved attacks on security personnel, violent confrontations and alleged cult-related activities.
In Sobe, a report of assault, malicious damage and attacks on residents escalated into a confrontation between suspected youths and security operatives.
The incident was reported at about 10am by Ojo Gabriel of Atoruru Village, who alleged that youths attacked his residence, smashed its window glasses and damaged vehicles.
Police detectives and personnel of the Edo State Security Corps were immediately deployed to the scene. However, the situation turned violent when the youths allegedly attacked the responding security personnel.
The attackers reportedly damaged the side glass of a police patrol vehicle, assaulted personnel of the Edo State Security Corps and carted away two locally made single-barrel guns belonging to the security operatives.
Three security personnel — Tunde Ali, Izedu Monday and Charles Ighororo — sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
During the confrontation, three unidentified youths reportedly sustained pellet injuries. One of them was later confirmed dead at David and Stella Hospital, Sabongida-Ora.
His body has been deposited at the Heavenly Home Mortuary in Sabongida-Ora, while police continue efforts to establish his identity and contact his family.
The police said 11 suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the Sobe incident, while the two stolen guns have been recovered.
Security has since been reinforced in the area with the deployment of police and military personnel, with normalcy restored.
In a separate incident at Ewatto at about 12:20pm, police received a distress call over an attack on an Edo State Security Network personnel, Martins Enahoro.
Preliminary investigations linked the attack to suspected members of the Aro Berger confraternity, including individuals popularly identified as Gbozia and Gezo, among others.
Police said Enahoro, while attempting to defend himself during the confrontation, stabbed one of the alleged attackers identified as Gbozia.
Enahoro was, however, said to have sustained multiple cut injuries during the clash.
Both men were rushed to God’s Will Hospital in Ewohimi, where they were confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the Ewatto incident, with two of them allegedly confessing to membership of the Vikings and Aiye confraternities.
The suspects have been transferred to the Area Command Headquarters for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
The Command has deployed Police Mobile Force Squadron 82 to reinforce security in the area and warned that attacks on security personnel would not be tolerated.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Patrick Daaor, urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding and provide useful information that could assist ongoing investigations.
He assured residents that the Command remained committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring that all those found culpable face the full weight of the law.
The police update was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem.
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