Tension in Edo as suspected herdsmen rape, beheads woman in Ekpoma

By Lucky Isibor

There is tension in the University town of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, following the gruesome murder of a community woman by suspected Herdsmen.

The victim, a grandmother identified as Mrs. Magaret Udiamehi was allegedly raped and killed while working at her farm in Ukpenu Community. 

Her throat was said to have been slit and dumped in a separate place from the headless body.

The body was said to have been found by a search party, mobilized to search the bush when she did not return home at the end of the day on Tuesday, 20 June, 2017.

Following the incident, youths of Ukpenu Community, embarked on a protest, venting their anger on Hausa commercial motorcyclists, leading to a motorcycle belonging to one Hausa riders being set ablaze.

The protesters also took their protest to the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma HRH Anthony Ehizojie Abumere II where he addressed the women. They were also at the Divisional headquarter of Ekpoma Police Division, where they were addressed by Divisional Police Officer.

The protesters also marched through major streets and mounted road block on the popular Ukpenu Road, forcing the Hausa cyclists to stay off duty for the day.

It would be recalled that a similar incident recently occurred in Ewu Community, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, where two elderly women were allegedly raped and killed by suspected Herdsmen.

A motorcycle of one of the Hausa riders was set blaze during the protests which led some members of the Hausa community being given protection by security agencies.    

As at the time of this report on the night of Wednesday the 21st June 2017, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shuaibu had visited the community and  appealed for calm and continuous peaceful co-existence.