More than 80 days after Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo promised to establish a security base in farming communities in Ovia South West Local Government Area following deadly attacks, residents have expressed disappointment over the unfulfilled pledge.
On February 22, 2025, suspected Ijaw militias invaded several cocoa farming communities, allegedly killing over 27 persons and leaving 34 others with various degrees of injuries. The attackers also set houses ablaze and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
The affected communities include Marindoti, Gbelemontin Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe, Bala Dele, Thousand, Dele, Dikpe, Taiye Osikolobi, Ajagba, and Ogwilaba Camps in the Iguobazuwa Forest Reserve.
Governor Okpebholo visited the communities on March 6, 2025, two weeks after the incident, where he commiserated with bereaved families and pledged to facilitate the establishment of a security outpost to prevent future attacks. He also vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and announced the approval of a Joint Taskforce post manned by military and police operatives, along with the donation of three Hilux vans for round-the-clock patrol.
Communities' Self-Help Efforts
Nearly three months after the governor's visit, the communities have appealed through their lawyer, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, for the urgent deployment of soldiers to the camps as promised. The residents revealed they have already prepared accommodations that can house at least 30 soldiers.
"The communities had since upgraded a block of the abandoned primary school to accommodate the troops. A borehole has been sunk, mattresses and fans have been provided, toilet, other utilities, kitchen facilities upgraded, and a generator installed for electricity at Marindoti temporary security beat site pending when the government would build a permanent base," Obayuwana stated.
The communities emphasized that they have fulfilled their part of the bargain and are now appealing to the governor to deploy the promised military personnel.
Partial Fulfillment of Promises
Despite their concerns about security, the communities expressed gratitude to Governor Okpebholo for fulfilling his promise to provide N20 million in financial assistance and a trailer load of 3,000 bags of 10 kg rice. They also commended the governor for his inclusive leadership and reassuring words during his visit.
This appeal follows a previous request made on April 6, 2025, when the communities urged the governor to expedite action in establishing a permanent security formation in the area, noting it was the only sustainable way to prevent a repeat of the bloodshed.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Edo State government regarding the deployment timeline for the promised security personnel.
