Some hoodlums have reportedly attacked Imariogha Community in the Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, burning no fewer than eight vehicles.
The gunmen carried out the attack on Sunday night in the community located near Okomu oil palm plantation, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
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According to the report, the hoodlums, also razed down some houses during the attack in the community, formerly known as AT&P.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Funsho Adegboye, who confirmed the attack, said the command was holding a meeting with sister security agencies to address the situation.
“We are aware of the incident and have visited the community.
“We are already holding talks in partnership with sister security organisations and the Okomu oil palm company to arrest the situation,” he said.
Quoting an eyewitness, the report noted that the invaders entered the community from the Riverside at midnight shooting sporadically into the air and setting fire to about eight private vehicles and destroying many houses.
Mr Rex Akpokiniovo, one of the community leaders, who spoke to the agency claimed one person was killed, while the Chief of the community, Pa Gabriel Okorugbe, sustained injuries but noted that he had been hospitalised.
The corpse of the dead person has been taken away by the police.
“My house was attacked and my car burnt down by the gunmen who came into the community at midnight and started shooting sporadically into the air.
“One of the Okomu workers, who resides in the community, was killed while the invaders left a warning note on his chest,” he said.
According to the note, addressed to Governor Godwin Obaseki, the attackers, who identified themselves as Ijaw Freedom Fighters, made several demands from management of Okomu Oil Palm Plc.
Some of the demands included directorship position in Okomu oil palm company and 25 per cent of the company’s shares.
“We are not fighting any security personnel but Okomu oil company,” the group submitted.
