Gunmen have killed one person and set ablaze many houses in an attack on Imariogha community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The gunmen, who identified themselves as Ijaw Freedom Fighters, were also said to have razed over eight vehicles during the attack which occurred on Sunday night.

An eyewitness, who craved anonymity, disclosed that the assailants entered the community from the Riverside at midnight, shooting sporadically into the air and setting fire to about eight private vehicles and many houses.

One of the community leaders, Rex Akpokiniovo, said one person was killed, a chief in the community, Pa Gabriel Okorugbe, sustained injuries and had been hospitalised.

Akpokiniovo said: “The corpse of the dead person has been taken away by the police.

“My house was attacked and my car was burnt down by the gunmen who came into the community at midnight and started shooting sporadically into the air.

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“One of the Okomu workers who resides in the community was killed while the invaders left a warning note on his chest.”

The attackers, in the note addressed to Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, made several demands from the management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc.

Some of the demands included a directorship position in Okomu Oil Palm and 25 per cent of the company’s shares.

“We are not fighting any security personnel but Okomu Oil company,” they said.

The incident was confirmed by Edo State Commissioner of Police Funsho Adegboye.

Adegboye said: “We are aware of the incident and have visited the community.

“We are already holding talks in partnership with sister security organisations and Okomu Oil Palm company to arrest the attackers.”

The Star