.As Gov Okpebholo goes after kidnappers, cultists in Edo
.Begins demolition of properties linked to sponsors
AHMED MARI, Maiduguri with agency reports
21 mourners were killed , others sustained gunshot injuries, and churches and houses were burnt down when suspected members of Boko Haram Insurgents invaded Kopl village in Chibok local government area of Borno state.
The incident is coming less than 24 hours when an Improvised Explosive Device IED planted by Boko Haram insurgents along Gamboru Ngala -Kala Balge road killed 8 people including women and children, while others sustained injury.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Chibok local government area, Hon. Modu Mustapha told newsmen in Maiduguri that 7 people were initially killed, while search and rescue is still ongoing but so far they recovered 14 dead bodies, with the fear of more to be discovered.
“I called you to inform you that the Kopl attack on mourners by Boko Haram terrorists is very devastating, because, as at this morning, 14 dead bodies were recovered.”, the chairman said.
“The terrorists also set ablaze a Church and over 10 residential houses. The entire community is displaced without confrontation from security agencies.”, he said
He said ” the latest Chibok community incident in Kopl took place at about 6:pm on Monday when armed terrorists descended on some mourners who were gathered for a final day prayer of one of their loved one who died last week.”
” Many of the victims who sustained injuries in the attack were evacuated to Mubi General Hospital in nearby Adamawa state for treatment”, he added.
Also responding to the renewed escalating attacks, in Southern Borno Senatorial District, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume described the situation as pathetic and beyond human imagination.
He said that, even yesterday, he received a distress call that over 10 members of a vigilante group were killed in a community between Hawul local government area of Borno state and Garkida town in Adamawa state.
” My people are hunted with severe casualties with no confrontation almost on a daily basis. In the last one month, over a hundred were killed in several and coordinated attacks in Sabon Gari, Izge, Kirawa, Pulka, Damboa, Chibok, Askira Uba and too numerous to mention”. Ndume lamented.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has launched a crackdown on crime-related properties, beginning with the demolition of buildings connected to kidnappings and cult-related violence in the state.
During the demolition of a residential duplex in Benin City used for kidnapping and organ harvesting, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Fred Itua, who spoke on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, told journalists that the government had also sealed off Eterno Hotel and an event centre.
These facilities, according to Governor Okpebholo, are being used by cult groups as gathering points before launching attacks that claim several lives.
Mr. Itua confirmed that the demolished property was the site of a gruesome crime involving the abduction and killing of a young woman for organ harvesting. He revealed that the suspect has been arrested in Lagos and will be extradited to Edo State to face prosecution.
“The building was where the crime occurred, and it is owned by the father of the suspect, who has also made useful statements to the authorities,” Mr. Itua stated.
“His Excellency has directed that this is only the beginning. More buildings used for criminal activities will be demolished. This is backed by existing laws enacted by the present administration.”
He emphasized that the crackdown was not politically motivated, contrary to speculations. “This is not a political witch-hunt.
These buildings were used for acts that contravene the laws of Edo State. The Governor has made it clear that anyone involved in cultism or related crimes will face the full force of the law,” he added.
The owner of the demolished building, Mr. Martins Oghenewore, recounted the shocking moment he learned of the crime. “On the 23rd of this month, while returning home, my wife called to inform me that our son had murdered a woman in his quarters. I immediately reported to the police, who followed me home and helped convey the corpse to the mortuary. I’ve been in police custody since then,” he said.
Mr. Oghenewore further disclosed that his 28-year-old son had long exhibited troubling behavior. “I trained him from primary school through university in Ekpoma. For over a decade, he has been a problem. I took him to rehab, neuropsychiatric centres, and even traditional healers. He rarely slept at home, drank excessively, and was often missing. Now he has destroyed everything I worked for. This house was my retirement plan, and now I’m watching it being torn down. It’s heartbreaking,” he lamented.
Authorities confirmed the suspect was apprehended in Lagos with human body parts recovered from him. Investigations are ongoing as the government intensifies efforts to stamp out kidnapping and cultism across the state.
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