Three soldiers sustained injuries when suspected criminals in Okomu, Ijaw Community, in Ovia South West Local Government Area were attacked on Friday.

The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, disclosed this on Sunday when he led journalists to the military hospital in Benin where the soldiers were recuperating.

Recent attacks in the area have led to the death of three staff of Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC, one resident, and the burning down of houses and several vehicles.

A group that identified itself as Ijaw Freedom Fighters claimed the attack and said the Ijaw are being marginalized in the state.

The state reacted swiftly and sent security operatives, including men of the police and soldiers to repel and halt further attacks on the area.

However, after Friday’s attack which left three soldiers wounded, Nehikhare said the state government would flush out criminal elements in the state including cultists and Okaighele (youth leaders).

While promising that the government would foot the bills of the wounded military officers, Nehikhare, said that the attack on soldiers by civilians in the Okomu community was not unconnected with the nefarious activities of cultists.

Nehikhare, who said Governor Godwin Obaseki frowned at the attack on military personnel, said a task force led by the Director of the State Security had been set up by the government to combat cult groups in the state.

He said, “It is not right in any way for the military to be attacked in any community in Edo State. A few weeks ago, we were all aware of what happened in our neighboring Delta State, where over 20 soldiers were killed by some youths.

“In Edo State, we have a bad case of cultism and what we also call Okaigheles in Benin and across Edo South Senatorial District. The data available to us provided to the State Security Council have said that these are the people that are mostly responsible for criminal activities and threats to the security in the state.

“That is why this group of people was banned, and a task force was set up to look into their activities to neutralize whatever evil plans they have. As the governor placed a ban on the Okaigheles (youth leaders), we discovered that some people also went ahead and said they should ignore the government ban.

“There’s only one government at a time, and that emboldened these people to go into Okomu forest in our community to attack our soldiers, protecting our assets. One of the soldiers is on the bed in critical condition. Three officers, an officer, and two soldiers were badly injured,” he said.

He continued, “The gunboat they (the soldiers) were in was destroyed and riddled with bullets. This should not happen in Edo State. We don’t want a situation where we will be losing soldiers to reckless attacks from cult groups.

“We don’t want what happened in Odi Community in Bayelsa State to happen here in Edo or a repeat of what happened recently in Delta. It is a serious matter, and all Edo people, irrespective of political affiliations, must support the government in this fight against cultism and killings going on. Since January till date, we have lost 150 people in cult-related violence,” Nehikhare stated. (The PUNCH)

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