Suspected Herdsmen Rape Woman In Edo

By Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin City 

Suspected herdsmen on Sunday raped a married woman and beat her husband to stupor at a farm in Ubuneke- Ivbiaro in Owan East local government area.

The husband of the raped victim, Umoru Agunu said the armed herdsmen numbering about six invaded his farm at about 10.30 am beat him up and raped his wife.

According to him, no sooner had i arrived at my farm with my wife than I saw six armed herdsmen demanding for my phone but when  I told them I don’t have any they beat me up mercilessness and took my wife to a distant where she was raped by two of the men. They were also with a young woman who probably is their victim.

Commenting on the incident, Yakubu Ibrahim, one of the leaders in the community noted that armed herdsmen have laid siege to the community.


Ibrahim added that life in the community has become unbearable and inhabitable as a result of the activities of the armed men who have constantly kidnapped, raped women and physical assault on residents.

“We have been under siege by the activities of armed men in the past 2015  who had raped several of our married women, kidnapped and physically assaulted both male and female in the farms and while going and returning from markets.

“Over 50 women have been raped, about 50 kidnapped while several people were assaulted. Several millions of Nara have also been paid as ransom. Our people are now living in perpetual fears both in the farm and at home.

“We are agrarian communities known for the production of rice, cassava, cashew, cocoa, plantain, banana, palm oil among others. Since the taking over of the communities by these unknown gunmen it has been very difficult for us to go to farm and markets”, he said




He however called on state and federal governments to deploy security personnel to the communities.

He explained that several women have been raped, many people kidnapped and physically assaulted in the farms and while going and coming from markets.

Ibrahim added that the Sunday incident have been reported to the Divisional Police Officer in Afuze, the administrative headquarters of Owan East local government area and he has promised to send his men to go to the bush along with the volunteer vigilantes.

Also speaking, Yusuf Adamu, another community leader said volunteer vigilante at the community, following the unabated activities of the gunmen combed forests in the community last year and some of the gunmen were arrested and handed over to police.

He alleged that they later heard that the arrested armed men were granted freedom by the police authorities in Benin for alleged lack of evidence.




When contacted the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), Owan East local government, Akeens Ade-Akhani said the council was aware of the situation in the area.

Akhani said, his administration have been mobilizing men of the Nigeria police as well as vigilantes to Ivbiaro- Auchi road.

He said the security challenges in Ivbiaro, Warrake, Ihievbe and other parts of the local government have been reported to the state government.

“Yes the council is aware of the security situation in Ivbiaro, Warrake and Ihievbe. It is not only peculiar to this areas. Even in Lagos where there is food security management there is kidnapping, raping, stealing among others.

“The council is always mobilizing men of the Nigeria police to Ivbiaro, Warrake and Afuze roads to provide security in those areas. We also empower the council vigilante group with the necessary incentives and manpower to provide security to our people.


“Though  I am yet to get the recent attacked on some persons at Ubuneke-Ivbiaro, but the council will not relent in its responsibility to ensure the provision of adequate security across the local government area”, he stated.




He added that, he will get brief from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Afuze police station as well as his security officer on the development.

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