Gunmen in military uniform, riding motorcycle invade Ewohimi community, beat up local guards, extort motorists

One of the guards admitted in hospital

Two gunmen on military uniform and riding motorcycle with government plate number have invaded Ewohimi community in Esan South East local government area, Edo State, harassing innocent citizens and mounting checkpoints to extort motorists plying the Agadaga-Igueben road.

The two armed men were said to have harassed and beaten up local guards on the employment of the community to raise alarm if they noticed any suspicious movement.

Ewohimi, like any community in that axis, has suffered kidnapping, killing and unwholesome activities from suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The community decided to organise youths to watchout for suspicious characters and report same to law enforcement agencies for action.

However, in a video circulating online, the gunmen were said to have mounted checkpoints and collect money from both motorists. When questioned of their mission in the community or from where they came, they claimed to have come there on the instruction of the local government chairman at Ubiaja, headquarters of Esan South East. They later said they were from Uromi, and thereafter threatened to shoot them.

All efforts to find out from them what was their mission in the community proved abortive.

“They blocked the road around Owu Primary School and later moved to Okede, along Igueben road.

“They dismantled our block and mounted their own and started collecting money from motorists,” said one of the youths.

At another spot, Izume, they beat up a local watchman, who dared to question them, and also set up up roadblock.

The young man manhandled has since been admitted in the hospital as result of the injury sustained from the beating.

A member of the community, who spoke with The Recorder on phone, said the gunmen may have been the newly inaugurated Edo State security outfit empowered by the Governor Monday Okpebholo with new motorcycles to patrol major highways and forest areas to curb insecurity in the state. However, this could not be confirmed.

The community is therefore calling on the Esan South East chairman and state government to save them from the hands of the “unknown” gunmen before it spiral out of control.