By Idahosa Musa
Survivors of the recent deadly invasion in Marindoti Community, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, have appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to expedite the establishment of a permanent security formation in the area, saying it is the only way to prevent a repeat of the bloodshed.
The appeal came weeks after suspected militants stormed the agrarian cluster of villages, leaving at least 22 people dead and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
The assailants, said to have arrived from nearby creeks, opened fire indiscriminately, razed houses, torched motorcycles, and forced thousands of residents to flee.
Despite the horror, a fragile sense of calm is beginning to return to Marindoti and its neighbouring villages including Gbelemontin, Domiju, Kola Village, Taiye Camp, Eto Camp, Dipe, Babadele, Daosand Camp and others as a result of Governor Okpebholo’s swift intervention.
Following a visit to the devastated communities, the governor approved a Joint Taskforce post manned by military and police operatives and donated three Hilux vans for round-the-clock patrol.
When our Correspondent visited the communities on Sunday, life was gradually returning to the area, hitherto deserted following the invasion.
A cross-section of residents who spoke with Alltimepost.com, however, expressed fears, insisting that the establishment of a security beat was the only solution that could guarantee security of lives and safety of the people in the farming settlements.
Speaking, the Baale of Marindoti Community, Obazuaye Igbala, who suffered several losses during the invasion, commended the state government for coming to their rescue.
He disclosed that the community had prepared a temporary security beat site in Marindoti habitable for security personnel with the provision of mattresses, kitchen, borehole, generator set and other utilities, pending when the government would build a permanent base.
Igbala, however, appealed to Governor Okpebholo to expedite action to make the immediate set up of the security formation a reality.
The community head lauded the peace meeting convened in Benin by the governor between the farmers and the Ijaw community in the area, calling on other stakeholders including the traditional rulers, youth and local security outfit known as vigilantes to support the governor’s initiative.
Sharing similar sentiments, Chief Ademola Ooduola, Baale of Daosand Camp, Superior Evangelist Israel Michael, Mrs. Adeola Babatunde and Adekunle Sunday, lamented that the suspected invaders were still stealing their farm produce.
“I want to thank the Governor of the State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his promises and intervention towards restoring peace to our communities.
“I want to appeal passionately to the Governor to help see to the reality of the promised security beat in our communities.
“Most of our people are yet to return home because of fear of further attack.
“Those that invaded our communities are boasting that they would ensure that we don’t have a security presence in our area”, Michael said.
He urged the governor to follow up on his directives on the issue because of reports, suggesting that some individuals were trying to frustrate the government plan.
The resident, however, commended officers of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin, who they said had been patrolling the areas with Hilux vans approved by the state government.
“We did our part by making the temporary site livable for the security operatives, providing mattresses, a generator, water and other amenities.
“But we are still vulnerable. We need a permanent security base to feel safe again,” he said.
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