Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Two borehole drillers identified as Eboh Enomwa and Stephen Imaghodo have been gruesomely murdered in Obayanto community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
A third individual who was reportedly with them at the time of the attack remains
missing, as the authorities intensify efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings.
According to reports, Enomwa was a familiar face in the area, known for routinely carrying out borehole projects in the community.
Sources revealed that he occasionally accepted plots of land in place of monetary payment for his services.
He was said to have been in Uwasota, Benin City, inspecting a project when he received a call inviting him to Obayanto for a proposed borehole drilling.
That visit, however, ended in tragedy.
In response to the incident, the Edo State Government has initiated a comprehensive investigation to track down those responsible.
The probe is being led by the state’s Special Security Squad, codenamed “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” in partnership with local security operatives and traditional authorities.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, issued a statement confirming that a high-powered delegation visited the troubled community over the weekend. The team was led
by the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, CSP Osaro Roberts, alongside the Principal Security Officer, Okoh Saturday.
During the visit, the Secretary of the Special Security Squad, Barrister John Izegaebe, decried the violent act and reaffirmed the state government’s determination to eliminate cultism, abductions, and communal disputes from Edo communities.
“Our findings so far point to a leadership tussle between two rival factions in Iyanomo, which degenerated into violence and ultimately claimed the lives of two men.
This is unacceptable. The Governor has directed us to ensure that all those involved in this heinous act are identified, arrested, and prosecuted. No one is above the law,” Izegaebe stated.
He further conveyed the government’s condolences to the bereaved families and promised that justice would be pursued with urgency and integrity.
“The government condoles with the families of the victims and assures them that justice will be served. At the same time, we are sending a very strong message to community leaders: disputes must be resolved legally, not through violence.
Governor Okpebholo has zero tolerance for crime, and anyone who foments unrest in Edo communities will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.
The state government has also pledged that the investigation will be exhaustive, transparent, and unbiased, emphasizing that no individual, regardless of their social or political status, will be shielded from prosecution if found culpable.